Controversial call helps No. 1 Iowa survive No. 3 UConn in Final Four

Opinions will vary on whether the play warranted a call. However, many will inevitably question the timing, considering it may have decided one of the competitors for the national title.  

Although the call greatly impacted the final seconds, it far from decided the game. UConn had opportunities early to pull away, while Iowa and star Caitlin Clark found their footing after a lackluster first half but failed to take advantage. 

Clark struggled before halftime against a solid defensive effort from UConn and Muhl, who limited her to just 3-of-11 shooting for six points. Meanwhile, the Huskies also held Clark without a three-pointer in the first half of an NCAA tournament game for the first time in her career. 

Despite Clark's sluggish start, UConn held only a six-point lead at the break, 32-26.

Unsurprisingly, Clark rebounded in the second half, scoring 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting while going 3-of-5 from beyond the arc after missing her first six attempts. 

The second-half turnaround for Clark spread to her teammates as Iowa transformed from a disjointed mess back to the methodical monster they've proven to be this season. After turning the ball over 12 times in the first half, the Hawkeyes played turnover-free basketball in the third quarter and committed only four in the fourth quarter. 

Furthermore, it wasn't Clark that burned UConn most down the stretch, but Kate Martin, Hannah Stuelke and Gabbie Marshall, who were among the supporting cast to make huge baskets late on Friday.

It's a tough pill for UConn to swallow, but ultimately, it let a chance to compete for the program's 12th championship slip away before the controversial call. 

Meanwhile, Iowa's incredible ride continues as the focus now shifts to the vaunted Gamecocks, who knocked off NC State in the first game of the Final Four. The Hawkeyes won't be the favorite heading into Sunday's showdown, but history will be on the line as they search for the program's first national title.