Why Iowa's Caitlin Clark was unstoppable even for South Carolina's No. 1 scoring defense

DALLAS – Caitlin Clark was unstoppable Friday at the American Airlines Center.

The 2023 National Player of the Year scored or assisted on all but one of Iowa's first-half field goals to give it a one-point lead over reigning national champion South Carolina at halftime. Clark continued her heroics in the second half to lead Iowa to a 77-73 upset of No. 1 seed South Carolina. She hit the four game-sealing free throws keep Iowa in the lead in the final 15 seconds of the game.

Clark had 41 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the Final Four victory against South Carolina, which had the No. 1 scoring defense in the country. She has averaged 27.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists this season.

Clark got to the basket with ease and went 5-for-17 behind the arc. She excelled in running pick-and-rolls with center Monika Czinano, who had 18 points and three rebounds.

It was an uncharacteristic night for South Carolina's defense, which found no answer for Clark. Every time the Gamecocks took a small lead, Iowa answered, leading for nearly the entire game.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Caitlin Clark unstoppable in Iowa win vs South Carolina in Final Four