Iowa's Caitlin Clark launched a long 3-pointer over the out-stretched arm of LSU's Angel Reese with 5:09 left in the third quarter in their highly-anticipated Women's Elite Eight match.
Clark followed through as the ball swished through the net. Reese shrugged with both hands – suggesting nothing could be done.
That moment won't be as viral as last year's Division I national championship game – when Reese waved her hand in front of her face with the John Cena "You can't see me" gesture in Clark's direction.
Yet there was truth in Reese's gesture this time. There was nothing LSU could do about Clark, and everybody could see that.
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Clark's second-half three-point show - from all angles and distances – was the turning point in No. 1 Iowa's 94-87 victory against No. 3 LSU in the Regional 2 final in Albany, N.Y. on Monday. Clark hit nine of her 20 shots from 3-point range – part of a 41–point performance that sends the Hawkeyes back to the Women's Final Four in Cleveland on Friday.
That came one day after the mismatched 3-point line controversy in the Portland Regional of the Women's Elite Eight. With Clark, you can measure the 3-point line from wherever you want. She's going to be way behind it no matter where it is painted.
It doesn't matter who you put on Clark either. LSU tried to guard Clark with Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith. The Tigers tried to switch screens. They tried everything – and Clark shot the top off of it.
"I think just confidence," Clark told ESPN's Holly Rowe about her approach in the second half. "Being confident in all the work I've put in and trusting my teammates."
Was this Caitlin Clark's greatest game?
That – per usual – is a multiple-choice debate. Clark had 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in the 97-83 victory against Louisville in the Elite Eight last season. She scored 41 points with six rebounds and eight assists in the 77-73 victory against South Carolina in last year's Final Four. But the Tigers beat the Hawkeyes 102-85 in the national championship game, and that led to unprecedented buildup for the rematch.
This was Clark's response. LSU coach Kim Mulkey was right about one thing – this should have been a Final Four semifinal. This was good on good at the highest level.
The first half exceeded the pre-game hype. LSU and Iowa battled to a 45-45 tie. Reese had 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Clark had 19 points, five assists and one rebound. It was fast-paced fun, and Clark flipped the switch to greatness in the third quarter with the one thing she has brought to the college game better than anybody else. She put the logo 3 signature on this game.
MORE: Looking at Caitlin Clark's highest scoring games
Caitlin Clark’s 3-point show vs. LSU
Clark broke the tie with a 3-pointer in the first minute of the third quarter. She hit another one with 8:05 to extend Iowa's lead to 55-49. Then another one at 7:30, at which point ESPN's Ryan Ruocco blurted out, "She's possessed."
Then the fourth one over Reese. Iowa led 69-58 after three quarters – an 11-point difference built by those long-shot 3-pointers.
"Clark! She"s possessed!"
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 2, 2024
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Clark hit two more 3-pointers in the fourth quarter – and teammates Syney Affolter, Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin combined for 4 of 11 from 3-point range, which was more than enough support to win more comfortably than expected against the Tigers.
Reese was brilliant, too. She had 17 points and 20 rebounds while playing through a left ankle injury, and if you listened closely she made it clear there is no animosity between the two players. Clark and Reese embraced afterward. That is when you realize how great this matchup has been for the women's game and how both players have contributed to that. That is why the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird comparisons grew in earnest.
"So people do compare that matchup all the time, but I never seen the matchup," Reese said in the pre-game buildup. "So, I'm not really familiar with it."
Of course, Clark set more records. She is the all-time leader in 3-point field goals. She is the all-time tournament leader in 3-pointers and assists – and it's just more accolades to add to the bio ahead of the ultimate prize in Cleveland.
No. 1 South Carolina will be there with their unbeaten record. So will No. 3 NC State and their hot-at-the-right-time team. No. 3 UConn is in the Final Four for the 23rd time under Geno Auriemma.
Yet Clark brings that one thing that nobody else has, and it is the reason why the Hawkeyes have a chance to break a Big Ten national championship drought that extends back to 1999.
That 3-point show is coming to Cleveland this weekend.
Will anybody be able to do something about it?
