What was touted as a clash of the titans between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UConn Huskies ended on an anticlimactic note. Iowa advanced to the title game against the South Carolina Gamecocks while everyone was still debating the controversial offensive foul call at the end of the Final Four game. While all eyes were understandably on Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers ahead of the battle, other stars from both teams showed up big time tonight. The game ended with Iowa’s Gabbie Marshall yelling to the arena, “Let’s go!” 

In the post-game presser, the undeniable star of the team, Caitlin Clark, credited Marshall for being the best sidekick she can rely on. “Gabbie Marshall comes up with big plays all the time, you see it time and time again for us,” she said about her teammate. “She doesn’t get enough credit.” With UConn trailing by just one and 4 seconds left on the clock, an offensive foul was called against Aaliyah Edwards after she and Marshall collided.

The contention: a moving screen on Edwards just as the ball was passed to Bueckers. Because of this controversial call, Iowa got two free throws as the Huskies were in the penalty. While everyone watching took issue with the refs, the Hawkeyes’ reactions have been ambiguous. Clark praised Bueckers as a tough opponent and credited Marshall as she, “Guards the best player in the country.”

Not much is being said about Iowa’s defenders as much about the referees. Clark instead turned the spotlight on the defense. “And I thought Gabbie played great defense on her. When Paige made tough baskets, Gabbie responded, kept guarding her. I’m really proud of her and I’m proud of our group for just being able to flip the page and move on to the next play.”

For the stars of both teams, Clark and Paige Bueckers, this was the last shot at winning a championship. While Clark will continue to pursue it, Bueckers’ NCAA run ended on a disappointing note. She put up the toughest fight, but Marshall was in the way. The Hawkeyes are moving on, but most viewers are still here.

A flat end to the Final Four crescendo

Everyone is debating whether there was a foul or not. Even LeBron James denies the validity of that call. Most agree that the ref didn’t need to call it, especially considering the stakes. Because of the untimely call, the Huskies turned the ball over and gave Clark the chance to seal the deal. However, even though she missed one of the two FTs, Sydney Affolter grabbed a game-sealing offensive rebound as the Hawkeyes booked their spot in the National Championship Game for the second year in a row.

While Clarke scored 21 points and Hannah Stuelke scored 23, Marshall had 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Gabbie even kept Bueckers quiet as the UConn star had 17 points on 7-17 shooting, considerably less than her 28 PPG during March Madness. Marshall said that she knew it was a moving screen but the result of the game can’t change now.

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The Huskies and Bueckers’ title run ended on a sour note despite making it the most thrilling matchup yet. Clark & Co. are seizing the change to win a title that eluded them last year. This is another grudge match after the Hawkeyes and Gamecocks clashed in the Final Four round last year too. The Hawkeyes are the only team that has beaten South Carolina in the past two seasons. Will they keep up that streak? We’ll find out on Sunday.

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