AMAZING JOURNEY

Clark set out to turn Iowa into a winner and redefined women’s college hoops along the way

>> Caitlin Clark doesn’t want to think about it. Or doesn’t want to talk about it. That will come later. Probably much later.

Yes, the Iowa star sees the packed stands. Hears the pop in the crowd whenever she drops in another 3-pointer from the logo. Senses the throng of media around her. Doesn’t need to be reminded that her name has been trending pretty much everywhere over four months that have transformed her life and, in some ways, her sport.

The reality is the leading alltime scorer in NCAA Division I history envisioned some of this. A year ago after a painful loss to LSU in the national title game, Clark’s lone focus was finding a way back.

One paradigm-shifting season later, that moment arrived Sunday.

And while it ended just the same way last year’s final against LSU did — with Clark and the Hawkeyes walking off the floor amid confetti that fell for others as South Carolina celebrated its second title in three years — she tried to keep it in perspective.

Yes, she wanted to win. Badly. And she played like it, particularly during a first quarter in which she poured in 18 points, a record for most points in a quarter in an NCAA final. Yet the deep and relentless Gamecocks wore Clark and the Hawkeyes down. She finished with 30 in all before checking out with 20 seconds to go, receiving a long, loud ovation and a hug from coach Lisa Bluder.

There were no tears. Not publicly anyway. Instead, there was an appreciation for a remarkable journey few deemed possible when she arrived on campus four years ago.

“The emotions will probably

CAROLYN KASTER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Caitlin Clark’s four-year run at Iowa ended Sunday with an 87-75loss to South Carolina in the women’s NCAA championship game.