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Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes etched their names in the annals of sports history Friday night, not only by defeating the UConn Huskies in a thrilling 71-69 victory, but by doing so in front of ESPN's largest audience ever. basketball game.
According to ESPN, the semifinal matchup, part of the Women's College Basketball Tournament, is now the most-watched game in sports history on the network, surpassing all previous viewership records.
According to Nielsen Fast Nationals, the semifinal showdown between the powerhouse programs attracted more viewers than ever before, with a record 14.2 million viewers, and peaked at 17 million.
The broadcast not only stands as ESPN's highest audience for a basketball game, but also the network's second-best non-football broadcast ever. Additionally, it has been crowned the most-watched college event ever on ESPN+.
According to Joe Pompliano, “At 14.2 million viewers, last night's Iowa-UConn game averaged more viewers than: • Any women's NBA game ever • Every 2023 NBA Finals game • Every 2023 World Series game • The 2023 Orange Bowl • 2023 Big Ten Championship • 2023 Cotton Bowl • 2023 Pac-12 Championship • 2023 Big-12 Championship • 2023 ACC Championship • 2023 Peach Bowl • 2023 Masters Final Round • 2023 Daytona 500 • 2023 Indianapolis 500 • Every tennis Grand Slam final (men's and Women) • Every 2023 CFB regular season game except one, even weirder, has a legitimate chance that this year's women's national championship game draws more viewers than the men's.
At 14.2 million viewers, last night's Iowa-UConn game averaged more viewers than:
• any female cbb game
• Every 2023 NBA Finals game
• Every 2023 World Series game
• 2023 Orange Bowl
• 2023 Big Ten Championship
• 2023 Cotton Bowl
• 2023 Pac-12… pic.twitter.com/ydDOaNpYjR– Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) 6 April 2024
Iowa's star guard, Kaitlin Clark, faces immense pressure as the most exciting talent in the women's game. After a challenging first half, Clark scored 21 points, including three crucial 3-pointers, swinging the momentum in Iowa's favor and securing a thrilling 71–69 victory over the Huskies.
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Clarke's efficiency this season has been glorious. The Hawkeyes guard has collected a wealth of accolades whereas setting data:
- Iowa's all-time main scorer
- Report holder for many 30-point video games by any participant in Division I during the last 25 seasons
- Massive Ten and Iowa all-time chief in assists
- Division I girls's profession scoring chief
- Set NCAA single-season file for 3-pointers
- First Division I girls to surpass 1,000 factors in two completely different seasons
Now, the Hawkeyes (34-4) put together for an enormous showdown with the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks in what guarantees to be an fascinating nationwide championship showdown. The anticipated matchup is projected to attract 20 million viewers on Sunday.
South Carolina is in search of redemption after final yr's semifinal loss to Iowa – a loss that preceded the Hawkeyes' personal championship loss in opposition to LSU. Nonetheless, this yr Iowa managed to overhaul LSU. Aided by Clark's spectacular 41 factors and 12 assists, Iowa received in opposition to LSU with a rating of 94-87 final Monday at MVP Area in Albany, NY.
The stage is about for Kaitlin Clark to guide her staff to the head of school basketball. With one recreation remaining in his illustrious Iowa tenure, a nationwide title would immortalize his legacy and put the 2024 Hawkeyes within the annals of sports activities historical past.