Caitlin Clark makes history as Iowa ends South Carolina’s perfect season

Iowa Hawkeyes #22 Caitlin Clark (G) driving past South Carolina Gamecocks #4 Aliyah Boston (C) for a layup. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1

 DALLAS, TX – Hyped as one of the most anticipated matchups in Women’s College Basketball History, it did not disappoint as Caitlin Clark’s historic night dethroned the defending champs as the Iowa Hawkeyes upset the South Carolina Gamecocks 77-73 at America Airlines Arena on Friday night.

Clark scored 41 points for the Hawkeyes, which was the second most in Women’s Final Four history. It’s also the first time a player had back-to-back 40-point games in tournament history.

Zia Cook led the Gamecocks in scoring with 24 points while Kamilla Cardoso had 14 points and 14 rebounds. The South Carolina loss ended their perfect 36-0 season and snapped the defending champs' 42-game win streak dating back to last season.

In what was a highly anticipated matchup of the 2023 and 2022 Players of the Year in Clark and South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, Clark won that battle 41-8. Boston was plagued by early foul trouble picking up two fouls in the first quarter.

South Carolina Gamecocks #1 Zia Cook (G) going up for a layup. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

The game started out with both teams ice cold until Clark made a layup with 7:55 left in the first quarter giving Iowa an early 2-0 lead. 

Clark would score or assist on the Hawkeyes’ first 15 points on the way to a 22-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Gamecocks would battle back in the second quarter thanks in part to their rebounding and size in the paint. 

6’7” Cardosa bullied her way through a triple team for a basketball under the rim to give the Gamecocks a 31-27 lead with five minutes left in the second quarter.

Iowa Hawkeyes #25 Monika Czinano (F/C) scored 18 points against the South Carolina Gamecocks’ defense. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

South Carolina’s height was a major problem for Iowa in the first half with the Gamecocks out-rebounding the Hawkeyes 23-12.

Kate Martin would make a pair of free throws in the final minute of the first half for Iowa to give them a 38-37 lead going into halftime.

Boston would execute a give-and-go with Cardosa with nine minutes left in the third quarter, part of a 5-0 run for a 60-52 lead. 

Seconds later Clark responded with a 26-foot three-pointer from deep to reclaim the lead 62-60. 

Clark would drain a 30-foot three-pointer from the logo with 7:27 to go in the fourth quarter giving the Hawkeyes a 67-62 lead.

 In the waning moments of the game, the Gamecocks needed a stop down two with 22 seconds left. They forced Clark into a long contested three-pointer with seconds left on the shot clock but Iowa came up with a huge offensive rebound to end South Carolina's attempt at a comeback.

“I mean it’s heartbreaking, they laid their hearts on the line like they did 37 times this season,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “It’s the one time, the worst time to lose, your last game.”

 Iowa will face LSU at 12:30 pm on Sunday for the National Championship.