Caitlin Clark is on a roll, breaking scoring and viewership records.
Monday’s Elite Eight matchup between LSU and Iowa was the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history, according to Nielsen ratings. The game’s highlight was Clark, whose 41 points, on top of her all-time leading point total in Division I basketball, led Iowa past the defending champion Tigers 94-87.
The instant NCAA Tournament classic averaged 12.3 million viewers on ESPN, the network reported Tuesday. The record audience surpassed last year’s World Series and four of the five games in the 2023 NBA Finals.
Star power in Clark and LSU’s Angel Reese buoyed ratings for the rematch of last year’s national title game.
Only one men’s tournament game, CBS’ Elite Eight matchup between North Carolina State and Duke, saw more viewers this year.
ESPN reported that it was the network’s most-watched college basketball game of all time, doubling previous records held by the 2002 women’s final and a 2008 regular-season matchup between rivals Duke and North Carolina.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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