Iowa vs. UConn final score, results: Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes advance to title game after controversial ending

Emily Dozier

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Iowa vs. UConn final score, results: Caitlin Clark, Hawkeyes advance to title game after controversial ending image

Survive, advance and play for the national championship. Iowa's Final Four game plan worked out, as the No. 1 seed beat UConn, 71-69, to advance to its second straight title game.

The Final Four contest looked to be Huskies at the start.

UConn senior Nika Mühl put all the pressure on Caitlin Clark, and the Hawkeyes' superstar didn't score a single 3-pointer in the first half. Before Friday night, she had never failed to score from behind the arc in the first half of any NCAA Tournament game in her career.

With 12 turnovers through the first two quarters, Iowa trailed, 32-26, at the halftime break. UConn's brick-wall defense gave the Huskies all the momentum.

The Hawkeyes came storming back, though, leaving the game all tied up at the end of the third quarter. Clark's 3s found their mark, and sophomore Hannah Stuelke came to life.

With 10 seconds left, Iowa held a one-point lead, but UConn held the ball and the chance for a buzzer-beater. But an offensive foul was called on Huskies senior Aaliyah Edwards with just four seconds left. The Hawkeyes took possession, and that spelled the end of UConn's postseason run.

For two UConn stars, the game brought an end to their NCAA careers. Seniors Edwards and Mühl will not return to Storrs next season and instead will head to the professional ranks.

Edwards contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, while Mühl finished with nine points and seven assists. Senior guard Paige Bueckers will return for another season at UConn. She notched 17 points.

MORE: Why UConn's Aaliyah Edwards is wearing a face mask in the Final Four

Iowa showed it could win even with a relatively quiet night from Clark, who had 21 points and nine rebounds. Stuelke recorded a game-high 23, while Kate Martin added 11 points and eight rebounds for Iowa

The best is yet to come, as the Hawkeyes prepare to face undefeated South Carolina in the championship game Sunday.

The Sporting News live tracked results and highlights from Iowa vs. UConn in the 2024 Women's Final Four. Follow below for updates.

STREAM: Watch Iowa vs. South Carolina live with Sling TV

Iowa vs. UConn score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Iowa 14 12 25 20 71
UConn 19 13 19 18 69

Caitlin Clark stats

  • Points: 21
  • Rebounds: 9
  • Assists: 7
  • Steals: 2
  • Blocks: 0
  • FGs: 7-18

Paige Bueckers stats

  • Points: 17
  • Rebounds: 4
  • Assists: 3
  • Steals: 0
  • Blocks: 0
  • FGs: 7-17

Iowa vs. UConn results, highlights from 2024 Women's Final Four

All times Eastern.

Final: Iowa 71, UConn 69

11:32 p.m. – That's it! Iowa survives.

10:28 p.m. – An offensive foul is called on the Huskies. Hawkeye ball with 4.6 to go.

10:27 p.m. – Ten seconds. Iowa 70, UConn 69. Huskies with the ball.

11:24 p.m. – Steal, shoot, score. Nika Mühl hits the 3, and it's a one-point game with 39 seconds to go.

11:18 p.m. – That's three 3s for Bueckers! she makes it a four-point deficit for UConn. 

11:13 p.m. – Gabbie Marshall from the arch! After review, the shot is good for two. Iowa leads by 66-57 midway through the fourth.

11:05 p.m. – That's 21 for Stuelke!

End of third: Iowa 51, UConn 51

10:59 p.m. – Affolter lobs it in for her eight point of the night! Iowa has the lead 51-49.

10:54 p.m. – Mühl and Kate Martin both head back to their respective locker rooms for injury evaluations.

10:46 p.m. – Ice, Ice Brady.

10:36 p.m. – Clark with her first 3 of the night!

10:35 p.m. – Stuelke is the first Hawkeye to 10! Iowa still trails 31-36

Halftime: Iowa 26, UConn 32

10:15 p.m. – KK Arnold with 10! The freshman can't be stopped as the Huskies lead 30-22.

10:08 p.m. – Bueckers with the big bucket!

10:06 p.m. – Points off turnovers: UConn 13, Iowa 2. That's a 7-0 Husky run.

10:02 p.m. – Too easy for the All-American. Aaliyah Edwards is up to four points, four steals and three rebounds. 

End of first quarter: Iowa 14, UConn 19

9:49 p.m. – Clark may be tough to stop, but she has nothing on Nika Mühl. The senior nails a three over the Hawkeye for her sixth point of the night.

9:40 p.m. – Hannah Stuelke gets on the board, but Iowa still trails 13-7.

9:33 p.m. – Clark gets the first basket of the night!

9:32 p.m. – Here. We. Go. UConn takes first possession. 

9:25 p.m. – Here's how each time lines up in Cleveland.

8:58 p.m. – That'll do it! South Carolina gets its spot in the championship game. Who joins them, UConn or Iowa, will be determined in 30 minutes.

8:38 p.m. – It's safe to say South Carolina will beat NC State in the first Final Four game. The Gamecocks lead by 23 with eight minutes to go.

7:28 p.m. – Kristin Juszczyk, the wife of 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk and viral designer, comes in clutch with another Caitlin Clark item. 

6:35 p.m. – Let's just say it's a good day to for UConn.

5:42 p.m. – She may be a dog, but she doesn't like the Huskies. Air Corgi goes with Iowa in the semifinals.

5:11 p.m. – WBB turns NFL. Vikings versus Chiefs. 

What channel is Iowa vs. UConn on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Sling

Both Final Four games will be broadcast on ESPN. Cord-cutters can stream the game on Sling.

MORE WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR COVERAGE:

Iowa vs. UConn start time

  • Date: Friday, April 5
  • Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

The Final Four game between Iowa and UConn is on Friday, April 5. Tipoff begins 30 minutes after the semifinal game between South Carolina and NC State, or approximately 9:30 p.m. ET. 

Women's Final Four schedule 2024

Final Four

Friday, April 5

Game Time (ET) TV/Live stream
(1) South Carolina vs. (3) NC State 7 p.m. ESPN, Sling
(1) Iowa vs. (3) UConn 9:30 p.m. ESPN, Sling

National Championship 

Sunday, April 7

Game Time (ET) TV/Live stream
(1) South Carolina vs. (1) Iowa 3 p.m. ABC, Sling

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Emily Dozier

Emily Dozier Photo

Emily Dozier is a live events and lifestyle writer at The Sporting News, covering everything from sporting events and music festivals to broadway shows and stand-up comedy. Based out of New York, she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. When not covering the SN tickets beat, Emily enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Prior to joining The Sporting News in 2023, Emily covered the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup for the Associated Press.