Howdy, Hawkeyes! Twitter reacts as Iowa locks up second all-time Final Four berth

Josh Helmer
·7 min read
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It was a nightmarish start for Iowa. Fifth-seeded Louisville jumped out in front 8-0 as the Cardinals’ biggest star, standout guard Hailey Van Lith, ripped off six of the game’s first eight points.

Then, the inevitable happened. Not only this game’s biggest star, but women’s college basketball’s biggest star decided enough was enough.

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark proceeded to score the game’s next seven points. It started with a drive inside for a layup. Then, she stole the basketball and was back off to the races. After one miss and an offensive rebound, Clark splashed home a patented 3-point look and the Hawks were off and running.

They were also suddenly trailing just 8-7. That sequence was foreshadowing for what would transpire the rest of the night. Any early Elite Eight panic quickly evaporated for the Hawkeyes. Behind basketball’s biggest star, Iowa simply wasn’t going to be denied.

It took a little more than four more minutes of game time for Iowa to grab its first lead at 20-18, but a pair of Clark 3-pointers provided just that for the Hawks.

Iowa never trailed again. Louisville briefly brought it back within one at 48-47 right out of the halftime gates, but a Gabbie Marshall trifecta, a McKenna Warnock layup off a Clark assist and another Clark 3-pointer widened the margin right back out to nine.

From there, it really was the Clark Show. She registered the first-ever 40-point triple-double in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot guard from West Des Moines keyed Iowa’s 97-83 victory over Louisville with 41 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. She also added three steals.

Clark finished her night by shooting 11-of-19 from the floor, including a remarkable 8-of-14 from 3-point range. While Clark was her magical self, this story wouldn’t be complete without a hefty nod to the supporting cast.

Marshall, Warnock and Kate Martin combined to connect on eight 3-pointers to match Clark’s total from downtown.

The Hawkeyes used a 30-16 third quarter to race away from Louisville in the two programs’ third all-time meeting. Iowa ballooned its lead to 22 points on two occasions in the fourth quarter. The last of which came when Monika Czinano netted a pair of free throws with 5:59 left to play.

Though Louisville made a frantic late run to bring themselves back within 10 points of Iowa three times in the game’s final 2:12, the Cards couldn’t ever get any closer than that. Clark and Iowa made sure that was all she wrote and the party was on.

Now, Iowa is two wins away from the Hawkeyes’ first national championship. The Hawkeyes head to Dallas looking to author that history for the program.

FINAL FOUR BOUND!

Feels like 1993!

Confetti falls on Iowa

Crying in the club

One of the best-ever W's

Proud of the Hawks!

Most exciting player period

No one can sleep tonight!

So happy

NO BEER

Still can't slow her down

Individual history was made

No. 1 2023 NFL draft pick?

It's great to be a Hawkeye

Tough work

It's going to be a long week for some

Don't miss it

Joining a legend

Somebody's trending

It's the end of the third quarter, folks

Best show in college basketball

Just unreal

A reasonable thought

Must-see TV

Why the triangle and two was invented

'You can't see me'

Mind blown

The FIRST of its kind

Wouldn't be Iowa without a football joke

Just look at these numbers

We want South Carolina!

Wait, we do? Oh well, let's just enjoy tonight.

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire