Caitlin Clark dominates, helps Iowa stun South Carolina

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Caitlin Clark's record-setting performance helps Iowa stun No. 1 South Carolina

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/1/23

Caitlin Clark's dominance in this year's NCAA Tournament continues.

In the Final Four on Friday, Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a stunning victory over the previously undefeated No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks, punching their ticket to the national title game.

Clark was unstoppable against the powerhouse Gamecocks, posting an NCAA semifinal record 41 points in Iowa's win. She shot 15-of-31 from the field and 5-of-17 from beyond the arc, adding a team-high eight assists and six rebounds.

Caitlin Clark's 41 points are the most in a National Semifinal Game in Men's or Women's NCAA Tournament history pic.twitter.com/uSxQxtEKbV
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 1, 2023

In a tight game late, Clark showed out when the stakes were highest. In the fourth quarter, Clark scored or assisted on every basket Iowa recorded while tallying the Hawkeyes' final 13 points to send South Carolina packing.

Clark also tied a record set only hours before tip-off on Friday by Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore, recording her 24th 3-pointer of the tournament.

The impressive junior was coming off the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA history. After Friday's performance, Clark is now the only women's player in NCAA Tournament history to post back-to-back 40-point outings.

Caitlin Clark is a superstar. ⭐️

Back-to-back 40-point games for the first time in NCAA Tournament history on the biggest of stages in CBB. pic.twitter.com/fa7N575vhl
— Jack Caporuscio (@Caporuscio_Jack) April 1, 2023

After jumping out to a surprising nine-point lead in the first quarter, Iowa held a slim advantage at the halftime break, 38-37. Iowa led by four going into the fourth quarter, handing South Carolina a deficit after three quarters for only the second time this season.

The Hawkeyes will play for the national title on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, matching up against No. 3 LSU, who knocked off No. 1 Virginia Tech on Friday.

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