The Iowa Hawkeyes (34-4, 15-3 Big Ten) punched their ticket back to the national championship game with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the UConn Huskies (33-6, 18-0 Big East).
After trailing by as many as 12 early, Iowa rallied and topped UConn, 71-69, to advance to a second straight national championship game.
Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Senior guard Caitlin Clark added 21 points, 16 of which came after halftime.
“Couldn’t be happier with our performance tonight in the second half. First half was a little rough for us, but you know, we really kept believing, and I’m just so proud of the character of these young women to maintain their composure through some pretty tough times in the first half.
“And we got it to within six at halftime and we felt good about that. I thought Hannah Stuelke was amazing tonight. But we’re really thrilled to be playing in the championship game for the second year in a row,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said afterward.
Iowa’s only other double-figure scorer was graduate guard Kate Martin who fought through a bloody nose to knock down two of the game’s biggest shots in the game’s closing moments.
With Iowa moving on to the national championship game, let’s look back at the incredible night that was with the best photos from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up before the game…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) warms up before the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Sydney Affolter (3) is introduced before the game…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Sydney Affolter (3) is introduced before the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the start of the game against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard…
April 4, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard Ashlynn Shade (12) in first quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots a three point…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots a three point basket over Ashlynn Shade #12 of the UConn Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against Connecticut Huskies…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against Connecticut Huskies guard Nika Muhl (10) and forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) in the first quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts in the second…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts in the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) controls the ball against…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) controls the ball against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Sydney Affolter (3) in the second quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) controls the ball against…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Nika Muhl (10) in the second quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in the second…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts in the second quarter against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles around Paige Bueckers…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dribbles around Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies in the first half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts as she lays…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies reacts as she lays on the floor in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against Iowa Hawkeyes…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Gabbie Marshall (24) in the third quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Lisa Bluder and guard Caitlin Clark…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Lisa Bluder and guard Caitlin Clark (22) react in the third quarter against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots a three pointer…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots a three pointer against Connecticut Huskies guard Ashlynn Shade (12) in the third quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a three…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a three point basket in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the UConn Huskies at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after shooting a…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after shooting a three point basket against the UConn Huskies in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin (20) reacts after a foul…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin (20) reacts after a foul to the face against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin (20) reacts after a foul…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kate Martin (20) reacts after a foul to the face against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes gives a thumbs up…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes gives a thumbs up after sustaining an injury in the second half against the UConn Huskies during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Gabbie Marshall (24) reacts after making a…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Gabbie Marshall (24) reacts after making a basket against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Gabbie Marshall #24 and Sydney Affolter #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Gabbie Marshall #24 and Sydney Affolter #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes react in the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the UConn Huskies at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) shoots against Connecticut Huskies…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) shoots against Connecticut Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) in the first quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) reacts against the Connecticut…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) reacts against the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) and guard Nika Muhl…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Connecticut Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) and guard Nika Muhl (10) and guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots a free throw…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots a free throw in final moments the second half during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the UConn Huskies at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Iowa defeated Connecticut 71-69. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after beating the…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after beating the UConn Huskies during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Iowa defeated Connecticut 71-69. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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NCAA Womens Basketball: Final Four National Semifinal-Connecticut vs Iowa
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts after defeating the Connecticut Huskies…
Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes bench reacts after defeating the Connecticut Huskies in the semifinals of the Final Four of the womens 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Hannah Stuelke #45 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with the team…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Hannah Stuelke #45 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with the team after beating the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Iowa defeated Connecticut 71-69 (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Connecticut v Iowa
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with the team…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 05: Kate Martin #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with the team after beating the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 05, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Iowa defeated Connecticut 71-69 (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Source link : https://hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com/gallery/best-photos-iowa-womens-basketball-final-four-win-caitlin-clark-vs-uconn-huskies/
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Publish date : 2024-04-06 03:00:00
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