In a tightly contested match-up between the West Virginia women’s basketball team and a Caitlin Clark-led Iowa squad on Monday, the ESPN broadcast of the game averaged 4.9 million viewers.
The game would be the most streamed matchup before the final four in the history of the women’s tournament, with last year’s national championship between LSU and South Carolina averaging 9.92 million. However, the West Virginia vs Iowa game averaged more viewers than the South Carolina-UConn championship game just two years ago. Iowa’s first-round game against Holy Cross this year brought in an average of 3.23 million.
In a game that drew a major reaction on social media due to a huge differential in fouls called with Iowa shooting 25 more free throws, the Hawkeyes would win 64-54. Clark would score 32 points, with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, shooting eight of 28 from the floor.
Monday’s game was the last time for Clark to play in her home arena, bringing even more attention and energy to the game.
“Us being in Iowa City will obviously, that will take it to another level as well because she (Clark) is the face of of women’s basketball. So yeah JJ (Quinerly) has got opportunity, all of our kids, you know for our program all of it’s all on the table right now um but that’s what makes this such a great great time of year and our sport is growing,” WVU women’s basketball head coach Mark Kellogg said last Tuesday.
Quinerly would lead the Mountaineers with 15 points on Monday. With the large amount of viewers and national attention, WVU gained massive exposure, which Kellogg hoped will benefit the program.
