Caitlin Clark Made Such a High IQ Move Involving Paige Bueckers at End of Iowa–UConn Game

Author:
Tim Capurso
Apr 06, 2024

A controversial foul call late in the fourth quarter overshadowed a high IQ play made by Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark that helped seal Iowa's 71–69 Final Four victory over UConn on Friday night.

Clinging to a two-point lead with possession of the ball and just 1.1 seconds remaining in the game, Clark lined up to inbound the ball, immediately noticing that her defender, UConn guard Paige Bueckers, had her back turned towards her.

Clark took advantage, bouncing the ball off of Bueckers's back and taking a full second off of the clock, all but ending any hope the Huskies had of a miracle comeback.

Caitlin Clark just bounced the ball off of Paige Bueckers back to help run the clock out 🧠 pic.twitter.com/vLp07mkLvD
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) April 6, 2024

At that point, the chances of a UConn victory were slim, but Clark's improvisational move fully shut the door and sealed Iowa's berth in the national title game against unbeaten South Carolina.

After the game, Clark explained her reasoning behind the decision.

Caitlin Clark on deciding to throw the ball off Paige Bueckers late in the game: "The biggest thing at that point in the game is you just want the clock to go down. You don't want to give them the ball, but she had her back completely turned so I was just trying to waste some… pic.twitter.com/GHkIjPFH2t
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) April 6, 2024

Clark, who was held to a personal NCAA Tournament-low 21 points, found a way to impact the game that won't show up on the box score.

As a result, the projected top pick in the WNBA draft will get one more shot at a national championship, seemingly the only accolade left to achieve in her illustrious college career.

Iowa has opened as 6.5-point underdogs against the 37-0 Gamecocks in Sunday's title game.