The rematch of last year’s national championship game between LSU and Iowa lived up to the hype in every way.
But the blockbuster rematch had a different result, as Iowa knocked off the defending national champion LSU Tigers 94-87.
With this loss to Iowa, the Tigers’ season comes to an end. They finish the season with a record of 31-6.
The game featured two of the pioneers who are paving the way in the women’s college basketball revolution: LSU’s Angel Reese, and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
The rematch had arguably some of the most hype in the history of women’s college basketball. And when their teams needed them, they showed up.
But as the two stars showed up and scored at a high level, their teams did as well.
It was an offensive slugfest
LSU finished the game scoring 34-for-88 (38.6%) from the field, and 8-for-24 (33.3%) from three. The Tigers had to implement their 3-point shot to keep up with Iowa both scoring wise and intensity wise.
On the other hand, Iowa finished scoring 32-for-69 (46.4%) from the field, and 13-for-31 (41.9%) from three.
“It’s amazing to be back in the Final Four,” Clark said. “LSU’s a really good team, they’re hard to guard, they’re really good players.”
When LSU needed her most, Reese came through. She finished the game scoring 17 points along with 20 rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks.
If this indeed was Reese’s last game in an LSU uniform, she certainly went out on a high note.
However, Iowa contained Reese in the second half, as she shot 1-for-11 from the field after halftime and fouled out of the game with just under two minutes left in the game.
Iowa needed Caitlin Clark just as much, and she also delivered with 41 points and 12 assists. She shot 13-for-29 from the field, 9-for-20 from three, and 6-for-7 at the free throw line.
“Caitlin’s very skilled. She’s a great player. She hit some tough shots,” Hailey Van Lith said. “There’s not a lot you can do with some of the shots she hit.”
It wasn’t just Reese and Clark, however.
Flau’jae Johnson continued to play some of her best basketball this NCAA Tournament. She finished with 23 points, shooting 10-for-18 from the field along with six rebounds and two assists.
Mikaylah Williams was right there with Johnson, scoring 18 points along with seven rebounds. Williams shot more threes in order to keep up with Iowa’s fast-pace offense, as she shot 4-for-8 from three and 6-for-16 from the field.
Aneesah Morrow scored 14 points along with 14 rebounds, and Van Lith added nine points, shooting 1-for-6 from three.
But Iowa’s offense was just as effective alongside Clark.
Kate Martin scored 21 points along with six rebounds. She shot 8-for-16 from the field and 4-for-4 at the foul line.
Sydney Affolter finished with 16 points along with four rebounds. She shot 5-for-10 from the field and 2-for-3 from three.
Hannah Stuelke added eight points and five rebounds.
Clark found her 3-point shot when Iowa needed her to
While Clark and Iowa’s offensive attack certainly kept the Hawkeyes in the game, Clark’s 3-point shot was what the Hawkeyes needed to get separation from LSU.
In the third quarter, she found it better than she had all game.
Clark shot 6-for-12 from three in the second half. With how consistent Clark was and has proved to be, and partnered with her ball distribution, LSU didn’t have much of a long-term answer.
“There’s not a whole lot of strategy. You got to guard her, nobody seems to be able to guard her,” Mulkey said. “She’s a generational player. She makes everyone around her better. That’s what the great ones do.”
LSU’s offensive rebounding kept it in the game
LSU’s offensive rebounding was its X-Factor. The Tigers grabbed 22 rebounds on offense compared to Iowa’s six.
Reese had 10 of those 22 rebounds, and Morrow had five.
But overall, LSU’s rebounding was its strength just as it was all season. With Iowa’s fast-pace offense, and their frequent perimeter shots, the Tigers knew rebounding would be something they could rely on.
The Tigers outrebounded Iowa 54 rebounds to 36.
Timely turnovers and timely fouls for LSU
LSU finished the game with 13 turnovers compared to Iowa’s 12.
The turnovers were timely, and Iowa took advantage. The Hawkeyes outscored LSU 14-6 in points off turnovers.
Williams and Johnson each had three turnovers, and Morrow, Van Lith and Reese each had two.
In addition, fouls were costly to LSU. Iowa finished 17-for-22 at the foul line (77.3%) compared to LSU’s 11-for-17 at the foul line (64.7%).
Reese fouled out of the game with 1:45 left in regulation, and Johnson finished the game with four fouls.
What’s next?
Iowa will now advance to the Final Four in Cleveland, Ohio. It’ll take on No. 3 seed UConn, which tips off at 8:30 p.m. on April 5.
For LSU, this loss marks the beginning of the offseason, which right now may look unclear.
Angel Reese has announced that she’ll enter the WNBA Draft, leaving at least one big hole on the Tigers’ roster.
“These young people will have a memory of being a part of something this great tonight,” Mulkey said. “I can’t describe to you how good women’s basketball is right now. I wish this could’ve been a Final Four game.”
