LSU’s Lady Tigers won the first basketball championship in school history on Sunday, beating Iowa 102-85 in Dallas, Texas, with Angel Reese sparking some late controversy for the winners.
Caitlin Clark put on another impressive performance for Iowa with 30 points but struggled with foul problems throughout the game when she caught her third foul of the first half and received a technical foul in the third quarter for her fourth personnel of the game.
And the divisive Clark was taunted by LSU in the final stages of the Lady Tigers’ comfortable win, when 20-year-old Reese walked near Clark and mimicked the John Cena “You can’t see me” sign that Clark made himself performed against Louisville.
Reese also pointed to her ring finger as LSU clinched the title at the expense of Iowa.
LSU got off to a dream start, cheering on Iowa with 59 points in the first half and making history in the process.
Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers and teammates celebrate after defeating Iowa
LSU head coach Kim Mulkey holds the winner’s trophy after the NCAA championship
LSU’s Reese pointed to her ring finger as the game came to an end in Dallas
Caitlin Clark conceded three fouls in the first half but ended the game with 30 points
Led by 21 points in the first half by Jasmine Carson off the bench, the Lady Tigers shot 9-of-12 from three to two quarters — including a perfect 5-of-5 from Carson — and opened a 17-point halftime lead.
The 59 points is the most in a women’s championship game in one half.
Additionally, the team’s nine threes were more than the previous three games combined — where they only scored seven, according to ESPN Stats & Info written down.
Iowa fought back in the second period and cut the lead to eight in the fourth quarter, but LSU proved too strong on the day.
And the Hawkeyes’ comeback effort was made even more difficult by the foul troubles of Clark and Monika Czinano, who fouled out of contention with 6:25 left.
LSU also gave Iowa fits on offense.
In addition to Carson, LSU had two other 20-point scorers in Alexis Morris (21 points) and Ladazhia Williams (20), while Reese added 15.
Meanwhile, none of Clark’s teammates surpassed 13 points.
Nonetheless, LSU coach Kim Mulkey gave Clark massive praise after the game, recognizing her tremendous performance both on Sunday and throughout the tournament.
“You’re a generational player,” Mulkey said Clark after the game.
Clark captivated audiences in recent weeks as her exploits drew the Hawkeyes to their first women’s Final Four in 30 years.
Jasmine Carson hit five threes in the first half as LSU built a sizeable lead
McKenna Warnock #14 of the Iowa Hawkeyes and LaDazhia Williams #0 battle for the ball
LSU had a great first half and were in control for the rest of the game in Dallas
Clark averaged 31.8 points – including 40-point performances in the Elite Eight and Final Four – and drew record-breaking crowds to women’s football.
Iowa’s dramatic win over South Carolina was the most-watched college women’s basketball semifinal of all time as 6.6 million viewers watched Caitlins Clark’s 41-point performance.
The Hawkeyes’ 77-73 win over the defending champions drew an average of 5.5 million viewers, according to Front Office Sports. That’s a staggering 72 percent increase over the previous year.
Friday night’s game also wowed the 3.76 million viewers who watched Baylor defeat Stanford in the 2012 Final Four match.
Following this trend, tickets to the women’s Final Four reached extremely high prices – much higher than the men’s tournament.
An all-session ticket for the Women’s Final Four cost a minimum of $475 at StubHub and $335 at Vivid Seats before fees at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday. The men’s all-session tickets cost at least $65 and $66, respectively.
Friday’s women’s semifinals started at $222 on StubHub and $184 on Vivid Seats. This compares to $45 and $44 for Saturday’s semifinals on the men’s side.