The American Airlines Center quickly filled as Louisiana State and Virginia Tech’s game came to a close. Spectators wearing black, yellow and garnet were here to see the most anticipated college basketball matchup of this weekend, between unbeaten South Carolina and second-seeded Iowa, led by Caitlin Clark.
Iowa played a zone defense throughout the quarter, dropping Clark from the top of the zone and on to South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston or any post player that got the ball. Clark’s help defense and center Monika Czinano’s physicality forced five South Carolina turnovers, which Iowa turned into points.
Outside of Zia Cooke, South Carolina’s guards could not take advantage of defenders sagging so deeply off them.