Monday night’s Elite Eight matchup between Iowa and LSU was watched by 12.3 million viewers, according to ESPN, which makes it the most-viewed women’s college basketball game on record and the most-watched college basketball game ever on ESPN platforms.
Iowa prevailed 94-87 in the national title game rematch to deny LSU a chance at a second consecutive championship.
LSU’s 102-85 victory over the Hawkeyes last year averaged 9.9 million viewers and peaked at 12.6 million, making it the most-viewed women’s college basketball game ever. That game was broadcast by ABC.
Iowa guard Caitin Clark scored 41 points with 12 assists and seven rebounds and was named the Albany 2 Regional Most Outstanding Player. She also became the all-time Division I leader in career 3-pointers and broke the NCAA Tournament all-time assists record of 136. And her nine 3s tied a single-game tournament.
The Hawkeyes advanced to the Final Four and will play UConn, which defeated USC 80-73 in the Portland 3 Regional. The last time the two teams met in the tournament was the Sweet 16 in 2021 and UConn won 92-72. Paige Bueckers scored 18 in that game for the Huskies, while Clark led Iowa with 21.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa-LSU March Madness ratings in Elite Eight set ESPN records