If you watched Iowa's 94-87 win over LSU in the Elite Eight on Monday night, you weren't alone. Per ESPN, an astounding 12.3 million people tuned into the second regional final in Albany, N.Y.,
BREAKING the record for most viewers of a women's
basketball game in television history. Monday night's rematch between @IowaWBB & @LSUwbkb scores as the MOST-WATCHED WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME ON RECORD 12.3M viewers Most-watched college basketball game EVER on
ESPN platforms More details to come... #NCAAWBB | #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/55FU8C1NwD The game blew past last year's national championship audience numbers, which peaked at 9.9 million viewers. The gargantuan audience watched Iowa's Caitlin Clark get a measure of revenge against LSU. The likely No. 1 overall pick of the upcoming 2024 WNBA Draft scored 40 points and had 12 assists in the win. It's only fitting that a record number of viewers tuned in to watch Clark break multiple NCAA records. She set NCAA Tournament records for three-pointers made and assists as well as the NCAA record for career threes while moving closer to clinching several others . With stars Angel Reese and Clark at the center of the rematch, viewership was expected to be massive, but the numbers are still impressive to behold. It seems unlikely, but perhaps Clark's next outing has the star power to put up similar viewership numbers. Iowa is preparing for another epic matchup with UConn and Paige Bueckers, who head coach Geno Auriemma said last week was the best player in the country. And if Iowa gets past UConn and South Carolina takes care of business in the other national semifinal, Sunday's title game on ABC will arguably be an even bigger event than LSU-Iowa. The Hawkeyes spoiled the Gamecocks' perfect season last season in the Final Four and could have a chance to do it again this year. Monday was a huge night for women's basketball, and the main event couldn't have delivered any better. The numbers speak for themselves.