The 2024 Women’s March Madness tournament has drawn the attention of a greater audience than ever before, thanks to two star-studded names. Ms. Caitlin Clark, a guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Ms. Paige Bueckers, a guard for the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies, are two of the most recognizable names in women’s basketball. After leading their teams out of the Elite Eight, Ms. Clark and Ms. Bueckers faced one another in a tight game Friday night. In the end, the Hawkeyes defeated the Huskies, progressing Ms. Clark and her team to the championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Ultimately, the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, claiming their third National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship win.
Prior to Friday night’s matchup, Ms. Clark made a name for herself and the Hawkeyes when they claimed their third consecutive Big Ten tournament title with a victory over the Nebraska Huskers Sunday March 10, according to theathletic.com. In addition to receiving team accolades, Ms. Clark became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s basketball March 3, surpassing former record holder Mr. Pete Maravich, according to ncaa.org.
Ms. Clark’s unparalleled performance on the court and her record-breaking three-point shots are not the only factors bolstering her career. She has signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with State Farm, making her the first collegiate athlete to collaborate with the insurance company, according to si.com. Ms. Clark spoke highly of her deal with State Farm.
“State Farm is a team that looks out for others, which is exactly the kind of legacy I want to leave beyond the basketball court,” Ms. Clark said, according to si.com. “I’m honored to be the first college athlete to join the Good Neighbor team – in khakis of course – and look forward to growing the women’s game together.”
Ms. Clark certainly grew the women’s basketball game after her stellar performance in defeating the reigning champions, Louisiana State University (LSU), Monday April 1 in the Elite Eight. The final score was 76-53, where Ms. Clark scored a game-high 41 points, according to ncaa.com. After the Hawkeyes’ win, prices of the cheapest tickets for the rest of the tournament rose 118 percent. Visibility also rose, with the highest amount of viewers reaching over 16 million, according to CNN.
Later that same evening, Ms. Bueckers and UConn’s women’s basketball team saw their own glory. The Huskies defeated top-seeded University of Southern California (USC) 80-73 in a close game. UConn secured the lead after the score remained tied 33-33 at halftime, according to sportingnews.com.
The Huskies’ victory set the stage for a showdown against Iowa and Ms. Clark. The Huskies’ journey to the Final Four marks a significant milestone, as they have not reached the championship game since 2016. During their dominant reign from 2013 to 2016, UConn secured four consecutive championship titles, according to wbur.org.
This year, Ms. Bueckers has made a comeback after two major knee injuries and has not played a full season of basketball since her freshman year. In the game against USC, she showcased her talent with the stat line of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Ms. Bueckers’ return to the court has been nothing short of inspiring, with many noting that she is playing better than ever, according to wbur.org.
Ms. Bueckers’ journey is intertwined with that of Ms. Clark, as the two players shared the court in the 2019 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup as teammates on Team USA. During March Madness, Ms. Bueckers’ stat line shows 21.9 points, 3.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 1.4 blocks whereas Ms. Clark’s is 31.7 points, 8.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, according to essentiallysports.com. As UConn prepared to face off against Iowa, all eyes were on Ms. Bueckers as she hoped to lead her team to victory and further solidify her place as one of the star players in women’s college basketball.
Friday, April 5, the Hawkeyes and Huskies began their battle to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship at half past 9 p.m. Eastern time. During the first quarter, both teams had trouble keeping possession, with Iowa having seven turnovers and UConn having four. Ms. Clark and Ms. Bueckers had difficulty capitalizing on shots, only contributing two points each to their respective teams. The quarter ended with the Huskies on top, 19-14, according to theathletic.com.
Both teams gained momentum in the second quarter, although UConn’s defense continued to lock down the Hawkeyes’ offensive attempts. The Huskies’ defense limited Ms. Clark to six points in the first half. They also applied enough pressure for her to miss all six of her three-point shot attempts. While Ms. Bueckers added five more points to the board, freshman Ms. KK Arnold led UConn with ten points and four steals in the first half, aiding UConn in gaining a 32-26 lead at halftime, according to theathletic.com.
Iowa gained momentum in the third quarter, although UConn’s tight defense limited Ms. Clark’s movement. Iowa sophomore Ms. Hannah Stuelke scored 11 points in the third quarter, turning the tide for the Hawkeyes, according to thegazette.com. The third quarter ended with the score as a tie, 51-51.
Ms. Clark realized her ability in the fourth quarter, putting up seven points within the first three minutes. UConn kept Iowa close, only trailing behind one point, 70-69, with less than forty seconds left in the game, according to espn.com. Within the last four seconds, the Huskies’ Ms. Aaliyah Edwards drew an offensive foul while setting a screen against the Hawkeyes’ Ms. Gabbie Marshall, sparking much controversy. Ms. Clark made one out of two of her free throws. After a last-minute shot, the Hawkeyes punched their ticket to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, defeating the Huskies 71-69, according to espn.com.
After the game, Ms. Clark spoke about her team’s performance, specifically in the first half. Ms. Clark elaborated on her team’s ability to stay focused, take accountability, and make necessary changes.
“We got some good looks. They just didn’t go in. And sometimes that’s just what happens,” Ms. Clark said, according to apnews.com. “We missed some easy bunnies around the rim. But I think the best thing about our group is we went into the locker room at halftime and it wasn’t, like, oh, come on, you’ve got to make shots. It was, no, stop turning the ball over and you’re going to be perfectly fine.”
In a thrilling showdown, the Iowa Hawkeyes played against the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks in the highly anticipated March Madness Championship game. As the clock struck 3 p.m., both teams took to the court at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio with determination, surrounded by fans cheering passionately for their respective teams.
The championship game displayed both teams’ sheer talent, with the Hawkeyes and the Gamecocks showcasing why they deserved to be in the final game. In the end, only one team could emerge victorious, claiming the title of 2024 March Madness Champions. As the final buzzer blared, the South Carolina Gamecocks emerged triumphant, securing their third championship title.
Junior Mackenzie Gillen plays on the varsity basketball team at Sacred Heart Greenwich. In the aftermath of the game, she shared her thoughts on the impact the Women’s March Madness has had on the women’s sports community.
“This tournament serves as a monumental platform for women’s sports, amplifying their significance and impact,” Mackenzie said. “Iowa’s Caitlin Clark not only broke records on the court, but her historic college career caught the nation’s attention and brought the women’s game record viewership and the recognition it deserves. I truly believe that she serves as an inspiration to me, as well as so many young athletes, regardless of gender, around the country. By showcasing the remarkable athleticism and competitive spirit of these female athletes, March Madness fostered a greater appreciation and support for women’s athletics on a global scale.”
Featured Image by Ava Briganti ’25
