Iowa delivered its finest performance of the 2024-25 women’s college basketball season on Sunday, downing No. 4 USC, 76-69, on the day of Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement.
The Hawkeyes began their upset of USC with smothering defense, limiting the Trojans to 1-of-14 shooting in the first quarter. Iowa built a 23-4 lead early in the second quarter before USC came roaring back to grab a 29-28 halftime lead.
Despite trailing by six points at 47-41 with 3:17 left in the third quarter, Iowa’s stars delivered in the second half en route to the victory. Senior guard Lucy Olsen was spectacular, dropping 28 points on the afternoon, including 23 after halftime.
Senior center Addison O’Grady came alive after halftime as well, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the game’s final 20 minutes.
With the win, Iowa improves to 15-7 (5-6 Big Ten) and has now won three straight. The victory also vastly improves Iowa’s at-large NCAA Tournament bid standing.
With a number of big-time recruiting visitors on hand to take in the Iowa win from inside a rocking Carver-Hawkeye Arena, there’s hope that this victory could mean even more down the line for Iowa.
The Carver atmosphere, its recruiting impact and the inspired play of the Hawkeyes were what social media was buzzing about on Sunday afternoon.
Look at Iowa w/ the huge upset on Caitlin Clark retirement day. Slow start really hurt USC. I know Carver-Hawkeye is ROCKIN
— Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) February 2, 2025
the usc/Iowa game is easily one of the most competitive, loudest women’s basketball games I’ve ever been to. what an atmosphere!
— Molly McGrath (@MollyMcGrath12) February 2, 2025
It is LOUD in here. What a phenomenal environment.
Certainly the best I’ve been to this season.
— Talia Goodman (@TaliaGoodmanWBB) February 2, 2025
Imagine being a visiting recruit at this game and then taking your next visit to a typical school where you can hear every sneaker squeak
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) February 2, 2025
Would be awfully difficult for a primetime recruit to leave Iowa City not seriously considering a commitment after today. Not sure you find an atmosphere anywhere close to this elsewhere in women’s college basketball.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) February 2, 2025
On the day Iowa immortalizes its greatest athlete, I can’t help but think the performance by THIS team is even more important for the future of the program.
The absolute perfect moment to show the fanbase that this golden era isn’t over. What a statement by these Hawkeyes! pic.twitter.com/9AzBAnq0ev
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) February 2, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Social media reacts to Iowa women’s basketball win vs No. 4 USC
