The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the UConn Huskies in the Final Four with a 71-69 win to advance to the national title game. The game ended in controversy with a late foul called on UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards, which ultimately gave the Hawkeyes the victory. Although UConn had a chance to win the game after Iowa missed a free throw, the Hawkeyes came away with the rebound, securing their spot in the championship game for the second year in a row. UConn head coach Geno Auriemma was visibly upset by the foul call, as were Huskies fans who saw the replay on the big screen.
Typically, a victory for Iowa is led by Caitlin Clark, but in this game, it was forward Hannah Stuelke who put up a stellar performance with 23 points. While Clark struggled to find her rhythm with just 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting, Stuelke dominated in the paint hitting nine of her 12 shots. Kate Martin also contributed with 11 points, including a critical jumper late in the game to extend Iowa’s lead. Despite UConn’s early lead of 12 points, Iowa was able to come back and tie the game in the fourth quarter, leading to their eventual victory.
Caitlin Clark, who is known for her three-point shooting, was limited by UConn’s defense, as she did not make a single three-pointer in the first half. UConn also forced 12 turnovers in the first half, initially giving them a double-digit lead. Paige Bueckers, UConn’s star player, struggled on the court shooting 7-of-17 for 17 points, while Aaliyah Edwards had 17 points and eight rebounds despite the controversial foul at the end of the game. Freshman guard KK Arnold also contributed with 14 points, five assists, and five steals for the Huskies.
Heading into the championship game, the Iowa Hawkeyes will face the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, who secured their spot in the final earlier that night. This will be Iowa’s second consecutive appearance in the national title game, having fallen to LSU in the previous year. The win against UConn was a hard-fought battle for Iowa, with Stuelke stepping up in a big way to secure the victory. Despite the controversial call at the end of the game, Iowa was able to capitalize on their opportunities and come out on top.
The loss to Iowa marks the end of a successful season for UConn, who were the reigning champions. Despite Paige Bueckers’ efforts, the Huskies fell short in the Final Four and will not have the opportunity to defend their title in this year’s championship game. The controversial foul call on Aaliyah Edwards will likely be a topic of discussion following the game, but ultimately, it was Iowa’s strong performance and resilience that secured their spot in the title game. Fans can look forward to an exciting matchup between Iowa and South Carolina in the national championship, as both teams will be vying for the coveted title.
