DALLAS, TX — A controversial end soured an otherwise flawless night for the LSU Tigers during the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship on Sunday, April 2. More than 19,000 fans attended the ladies’ game, where the Tigers beat Iowa 102-85. Trash talk and controversy filled the final minutes as LSU went on to win its first National Title in program history.
Iowa Junior Caitlan Clark drew the majority of the crowd as the AP Player of the Year never failed to disappoint. She broke the record for the most points in tournament history, was the first ever to score back-to-back 40-point games, and overall was an absolute nightmare on the court. Clark made a habit of expressing her feelings during games all throughout the tournament. The night Iowa beat Louisville in the Elite 8, she could be seen waving her hand in front of her face in the “You can’t see me” gesture on her way to a 41-10-12 (points-rebounds-assists) performance. Clark became the only player in NCAA tournament history to record a 40-point triple-double.
LSU Tigers Women's Basketball
(Credit: cnn.com)
LSU’s Angel Reese, who averaged 23 points per game on the season, must have felt offended by Clark’s previous performance. With the Tigers up by 17 points in the final minute, Reese made it her mission to track Clark down, shadow her around the court, and taunt her. She mimicked Clark’s “you can’t see me” gesture in Clark’s face and constantly pointed to her ring finger.
While some may say that all is fair on the court, Reese’s unsportsmanlike behavior angered many, especially considering Reese scored half of what Clark did. However, others defend Reese saying that she has every right to act how she pleases. The LSU players refused to shake hands with the Hawkeyes after the game, which concluded an overt showing of a lack of sportsmanship. Some say that if Iowa did not like the trash talk, then the ladies should play better. Many gave Reese a pass since Clark expressed herself in similar ways earlier in the tournament.
At the post-game press conference, Reese felt her game justified her actions by growing the game of Women’s Basketball. "Twitter is going to go on a rage every time, and I'm happy," Reese said. "I feel like I've helped grow women's basketball this year. I'm super happy and excited, so I'm looking forward to celebrating in the next season."
Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Basketball
(Credit: si.com)
"Twitter can say what Twitter can say. I love reading those comments. I have all the screenshots of what everybody has said about me all season. What are you going to say now?"
Clark addressed the topic as well. “Honestly, I have no idea," Clark said. "I was just trying to get to the handshake line and shake hands and be grateful that my team was in that position. That's all you can do is hold your head high, be proud of what you did."
Clark broke the record for most points scored in an NCAA Tournament this year. Both ladies should be back in the tournament next year, so a rematch almost seems inevitable. No matter what side of the controversy one fall’s on, no one can deny that this particular matchup was one to remember.
Iowa's Caitlan Clark and LSU's Angel Reese
(Credit: twitter.com/@sportscenter)
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