Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes are going back to the national title game after beating Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies, 71–69, in a Final Four showdown that lived up to the hype in Cleveland.
It also came with some controversy, as a brutal offensive foul called against UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards in the final seconds helped Iowa hold on for the win.
UConn trailed by a point with under five seconds left when Edwards was called for an illegal screen, which gave Iowa the ball back with 3.9 seconds remaining.
UConn’s players and fans will be talking about this call for years to come:
Offensive foul?? pic.twitter.com/dpf45GPyHp
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 6, 2024
Here’s another look at it:
Legitimately one of the worst offensive foul calls I’ve ever seen… Let alone with 4 seconds left & the game on the line.
Feel sick for Aaliyah Edwards & UCONN. There’s just no world where this is a moving screen. Brutal. pic.twitter.com/73AYbGmAnT
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) April 6, 2024
Fans blasted the refs:
I have no dog in this fight, I want Dawn Staley’s team to win it all, but this call was absolutely disgraceful. https://t.co/m7uvxvRtw4
— Shibe Vintage Sports (@ShibeSports) April 6, 2024
It isn’t a foul, but regardless… An official making THAT THE GAME DECIDING CALL is atrocious. #UConn https://t.co/zMxtanQxc0
— John Sonsalla (@JSonsalla) April 6, 2024
Just an all time bad call. I am so sick and tired of games being tainted but referees who lack zero judgement. Its truly criminal. https://t.co/dzrMwMpl8y
— Jerome Sweatpants (@talkintrashlin) April 6, 2024
I’m not a swallow the whistle proponent, but this is the lamest call in a big moment I’ve ever seen. It’s pretty clear Iowa is getting the calls this tournament and it’s hard to enjoy because of the officiating. https://t.co/Djgqg4v19J
— Nick Klus (@JudSchmails) April 6, 2024
That is so incredibly soft. https://t.co/UUuaBwNc0J
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) April 6, 2024
YOU CAN NOT CALL AN OFFENSIVE FOUL WITH THIS MUCH ON THE LINE, I FEEL BAD FOR UCONN, THEY WERE ROBBED https://t.co/qh45d00XEz
— JayMo (@crassiux) April 6, 2024
