Iowa blitzes Colorado to set up LSU rematch

Caitlin Clark had 29 points and 15 assists to lead top-seeded Iowa past fifth-seeded Colorado 89-68 in an Albany 2 region semifinal in Albany, New York, setting up a rematch of last year’s national title game against reigning champion Louisiana State.

Clark got the second-ranked Hawkeyes (32-4) going early, driving for easy layups and throwing fantastic passes. About the only thing missing from Clark’s day was her hitting a signature midcourt logo shot. She took a couple but missed.

Iowa, which shot 53.8 percent, scored the third quarter’s first six points, and the 17th-ranked Buffaloes (24-10) didn’t get within single digits the rest of the way.

Colorado made its first back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16 since 2002 and ’03. The Buffaloes also were knocked out last year by Iowa, falling 87-77 in the same round.

Sydney Affolter scored 15 points, and Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin added 14 apiece for the Hawkeyes, who led 48-35 at halftime.

Portland 3

■ No. 1 Southern California 74, No. 5 Baylor 70: Freshman Juju Watkins drove the length of the floor for a go-ahead threepoint play with 3:13 left and totaled 30 points for the third-ranked Trojans (29-5), who advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994. Watkins missed 20 of 28 field-goal tries and made 12 of 13 free throws. The 19th-ranked Bears (26-8) led 57-53 after three quarters.

■ No. 3 Connecticut 53, No. 7 Duke 45: Paige Bueckers scored 24 points for the 10th-ranked Huskies (32-5), who — because of injuries — dressed only eight players, six of whom played. They held the Blue Devils (22-12) to 11 baskets through three quarters, and Duke trailed by as many as 20 points late in the third. Uconn was outrebounded 43-28.

Hans Pennink The Associated Press Iowa guard Caitlin Clark drives by Colorado guard Kindyll Wetta during the fourth quarter of the Hawkeyes’ 89-68 win Saturday.