LSU wins first NCAA championship, beating Clark and Iowa

Posted April 02, 2023 1:00 am

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

LSU's Sa'Myah Smith reacts to a three pointer during the first half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against Iowa Sunday. Associated Press

DALLAS - Kim Mulkey's LSU Tigers used a record offensive performance to beat Caitlin Clark and Iowa 102-85 in the national championship game on Sunday to win the first basketball title in school history.

The victory made Mulkey the first women's coach to win national championships at two different schools. She won three at Baylor before leaving for LSU two years ago. The feisty and flamboyantly dressed Mulkey, who wore a sparkly golden tiger striped outfit, now has four titles in her career - the third most all-time behind Geno Auriemma's 11 and Pat Summitt's eight. Mulkey has never lost in a championship game.

The loss ended one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA Tournament history by Clark. The junior guard finished with 30 points. She scored 40 in the semifinals to knock out unbeaten South Carolina one game after she had the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA history in the Elite Eight.

The dazzling guard, who grew up in Iowa, set the NCAA record for points in a tournament, passing the 177 that Sheryl Swoopes scored in 1993 en route to leading Texas Tech to the title that year. Clark ended her tournament with 191.

The 102 points broke the previous high for a championship game, surpassing the 97 that Texas scored against Southern California in 1986.

LSU players celebrate a last second shot during the first half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against Iowa Sunday. Associated Press

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey reacts to a final second shot during the first half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against Iowa Sunday. Associated Press

Iowa's McKenna Warnock is stopped by LSU's Sa'Myah Smith and Flau'jae Johnson during the first half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game Sunday. Associated Press

Iowa's Caitlin Clark yells during the first half of the NCAA Women's Final Four championship basketball game against LSU Sunday. Associated Press

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