Iowa vs. UConn 2024 NCAA women’s basketball Final Four score updates, highlights, analysis

CLEVELAND — “The Show” will have a climactic final act. Second-ranked Iowa overcame a 12-point first half deficit and topped No. 10 Connecticut, 71-69, in an NCAA women’s basketball national semifinal Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Hannah Stuelke scored 23 points, and Caitlin Clark overcame a rough first half to post 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Hawkeyes (34-4) advance to the national final for the second straight year.

There, they will face No. 1 South Carolina (37-0) — a 78-59 winner over No. 11 North Carolina State. Tipoff is 2 p.m. (CT).

Iowa trailed 28-16 in the second quarter, crept within six points at halftime, then got all square by the end of the third quarter. The Hawkeyes didn’t trail again.

They led 66-57 when Gabbie Marshall nailed a long 2-pointer with 5:42 left, then held off UConn’s late flurry.

UConn (33-6) was within 70-69 when Nika Muhl drained a 3-pointer with 39 seconds left, then had a chance to take the lead after an Iowa turnover. But a moving-screen call on Aaliyah Edwards with 0:04 left gave it back to the Hawkeyes.

Clark made the first of two free throws with 3 seconds left, but Sydney Affolter rebounded, and Iowa was awarded the ball on the alternate possession. Then it was a matter of inbounding, then celebrating.

— Jeff Linder