The Iowa Hawkeye women are headed back to the NCAA Championship game. The Hawkeyes erased a 12-point first half deficit to edge UConn 71-69 on Friday night.
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder. Hannah Stuelke led the Hawkeyes with 23 points as they overcame a sluggish opening half.
Caitlin Clark had 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The Hawkeyes play top ranked and unbeaten South Carolina in Sunday’s title game.
It is a rematch of last year’s national semifinal won by Iowa.
Iowa junior guard Sydney Affolter finished with eight points and seven rebounds and says the team knew they had to clamp down on defense throughout the game to pull off the win.
Affolter says she was proud of the way the team stayed together despite being behind in the first half.
Affolter says the team realizes every player contributes in a different way every game.
Gabbie Marshall had five points and five rebounds and the senior from Cincinnati hopes her career ends with a national title in her home state.
Marshall was impressed with Clark’s composure throughout the game.
Kate Martin had 11 points and eight rebounds and says the team’s defense has been showing up well in the tournament.
Martin says she’s proud of Stuelke’s play.
Martin says the team stayed composed in the locker room at halftime despite being down by double digits in the first half.
