Iowa Defeats UConn 71-69 in Final Four Thriller, Advances to National Championship Game
In a nail-biting showdown, the Iowa Hawkeyes emerged victorious over the UConn Huskies with a final score of 71-69, securing their spot in the national championship game for the second consecutive year. The game was filled with intense moments and highlight plays, with Iowa’s Gabbie Marshall making a critical defensive play in the final seconds to force an illegal screen call on UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards.
While much of the spotlight leading up to the game was on star players Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers, it was the supporting casts of both teams that truly shined on the court. Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke led the team in scoring with an impressive 23 points, stepping up when Clark faced early struggles. UConn’s KK Arnold also delivered a standout performance in her first Final Four appearance, contributing 14 points, five assists, and five steals.
Iowa’s Sydney Affolter and Kate Martin also made crucial contributions in key moments of the game, helping their team maintain a slim lead despite a late comeback effort from UConn. Bueckers, though disappointed with the loss, emphasized that one play does not define a game and acknowledged the mistakes made throughout.
With this victory, Iowa now looks ahead to a rematch with top-seeded South Carolina in the national championship game. Last year, the Hawkeyes ended South Carolina’s undefeated season in the Final Four, setting the stage for what is sure to be another thrilling matchup between these two powerhouse teams. Stay tuned to see if Iowa can capture their first national championship title in program history.
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