Monday’s Iowa-LSU Elite Eight matchup set records as the most-watched women’s college basketball game with 12.3 million viewers, surpassing last year’s championship game between the same two teams. The game was ESPN’s most viewed college game ever, exceeding the viewership of all but one of the men’s March Madness tournament games, all but one NBA Finals game, and all World Series games. The intense interest in the game was driven by the intriguing storylines, such as LSU’s Angel Reese taunting Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in the previous year’s championship game. Clark’s dominance and record-breaking performance in this game further captivated viewers.
The game was a thrilling matchup between the two powerhouses, with Iowa ultimately pulling ahead to secure an 11-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Caitlin Clark was the standout player of the game, scoring 41 points and tying a season-high of nine three-point shots. Despite LSU’s efforts to make a comeback, Iowa maintained their lead, largely thanks to Clark’s exceptional performance on both scoring and assists. Clark also broke the NCAA Tournament career record with 137 assists, demonstrating her all-around skill and contribution to the team’s success.
While LSU’s Angel Reese had a strong start, scoring 17 points and grabbing 20 rebounds, she struggled after an ankle injury in the second quarter. Despite her efforts, she was unable to lead LSU to victory against Iowa. Flau’Jae Johnson led LSU with 23 points, but it was not enough to overcome Iowa’s dominant performance. The game was closely contested and had viewers on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, further increasing the excitement and engagement surrounding the matchup.
With this win, Iowa advances to face No. 3 UConn in the Final Four. UConn, led by Paige Bueckers’ impressive performance with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, defeated USC to secure their spot in the Final Four. The upcoming matchup between Iowa and UConn promises to be another exciting game between two top-performing teams. The intense competition and high stakes of the Final Four will undoubtedly draw in a large audience, continuing the trend of record-breaking viewership in women’s college basketball.
The game between Iowa and LSU not only showcased the talent and skill of the players but also highlighted the growing popularity and interest in women’s college basketball. With record viewership and engaging storylines, the game captured the attention of sports fans across the country. Caitlin Clark’s standout performance and record-breaking achievements further solidified her status as one of the top players in women’s college basketball, adding to the excitement surrounding the sport and upcoming matchups in the tournament. The Final Four matchups are poised to be highly competitive and captivating, with top teams vying for a spot in the championship game and the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Overall, the Iowa-LSU Elite Eight matchup was a historic and thrilling game that set new records for viewership in women’s college basketball. The intense competition, standout performances, and compelling storylines all contributed to the game’s success and captured the interest of a record number of viewers. As the tournament progresses and teams advance to the Final Four and beyond, the excitement and engagement surrounding women’s college basketball are expected to continue to grow, showcasing the talent and skill of the athletes and drawing in even larger audiences.
