Iowa’s women’s basketball team, led by Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark, is the nation’s highest-scoring team, with an average of 87.6 points per game. Clark, who averages 27.3 points and 8.6 assists per game, is a top scorer in the nation and also leads in assists. Monika Czinano, who averages 17.2 points per game, has benefitted greatly from Clark’s assists, shooting an impressive 67.9% from the field.
During Iowa’s Elite Eight victory over Louisville, Clark put up an impressive 41 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, becoming the first player in NCAA Tournament history to achieve a 40-point triple-double.
While some have criticized Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese, who reportedly taunted Clark during the game, ESPN’s Holly Rowe defended both players, calling for the celebration of unapologetically confident young women.
When asked about Reese’s taunt after the game, Clark said she did not notice anything negative and was focused on being grateful for the moment and shaking hands with everyone. She also praised LSU for their performance and credited them for a tremendous season.
What did Clark say?
“All you can do is hold your head high, be proud of what you did, and all the credit in the world to LSU,” Clark said.
“They were tremendous, they deserve it. They had a tremendous season. Kim Mulkey coached them so, so well. She’s one of the best basketball coaches of all time, and she only said really kind things to me in the handshake line, so I’m very grateful for that too. But honestly, I have no idea, and I was just trying to spend the last few moments on the court with especially the five people that I’ve started 93 games with and relishing every second of that.” she added.
Clark’s performance has been outstanding all season, and her team’s success is a testament to her leadership and skill on the court. Her ability to both score and assist at a high level has made her a formidable opponent and a joy to watch. Despite the taunts from Reese and criticism from some, Clark remains focused on her team’s success and being a positive role model for young women in sports.
The Heartbreak and Triumph of Caitlin Clark: Reflecting on a Historic NCAA Tournament Run
Caitlin Clark, the guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, had an incredible NCAA tournament run that unfortunately fell just short of winning the program’s first national championship. Despite the loss, Clark’s performance throughout the tournament made her a legend in the basketball world. She set records for most points by a player in a single NCAA tournament, male or female, with 191 total points and also had a tournament record of 60 assists.
Clark was not only a scoring machine, but she was also a dynamic playmaker, capable of finding her teammates when defenders tried to take the ball out of her hands.
In the Elite Eight game against Louisville, Clark led her team to victory with a 41-point triple-double, recording her fifth triple-double of the season and 11th of her career. This historic performance sent Iowa to the Final Four, where they faced the undefeated reigning national champions, South Carolina.
Clark again delivered another historic performance, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Despite falling short of the ultimate goal, Clark’s talent and leadership have earned her the respect and admiration of basketball fans across the country.
