Despite the valiant efforts of Iowa star guard Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA Women's National Championship game, 87-75. Lisa Bluder, head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, had some harsh, yet comforting words in her post-game press conference.
Lisa Bluder stated, "it kinda makes me a double loser right now, quite honestly. It's tough, but I know how hard it is to get here, too. I say that tongue in cheek because I know it's really, really difficult to get to a Final Four."
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Bluder lets herself have it, understanding how heartbreaking it is to lose in back-to-back NCAA Championship games. In calling herself a "double loser" she takes full accountability for the loss the Hawkeyes were handed by the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.
The Iowa coach then followed up her self critique with some optimistic and confident words. Lisa Bluder continued, "for us to be national runner-ups two years in a row - I'm never going to apologize."
And she shouldn't. The Hawkeyes were outmatched by a dominant force in the Gamecocks, as they weren't undefeated on the year simply by chance. Iowa's heart and soul Caitlin Clark gave it her all, posting 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in 40 minutes of play.
Clark holding a majority of the Hawkeyes points was not enough as South Carolina was the all around better team. The Gamecocks really won the game with size as they out rebounded Iowa 51 to 29.
Lisa Bluder knows how hard it is to make it to a NCAA Women's Championship game, let alone win one; especially when facing a much more well rounded team in South Carolina. Even a generational talent in Caitlin Clark couldn't lift the Hawkeyes past such a team.
But in this Bluder sends a message to Iowa fans and her players, that although they may have lost the NCAA Championship game both this year and last's; it is not an easy feat getting there two years in a row... And fans, players, and even herself should be proud of that alone.
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