The women’s college basketball season is officially over following the national championship. LSU defeated Iowa 102-85 on Sunday afternoon to win their first national championship in program history.

Much of the attention leading up to the game was on Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. Clark won the Naismith, which is awarded to the best women’s college basketball player of the year. She also scored the most combined points in a single tournament after her 30-point performance Sunday.

Iowa were the favorites coming into the game after beating undefeated South Carolina in the Final Four. Clark was having a season for the ages and people doubted LSU had the power to stop that. LSU needed some help and received it in more ways than one.

The first bit of help came off the LSU bench from senior Jasmine Carson. Carson had not scored in LSU’s past three games before dropping 21 points in the first half. She also did it without missing a shot, going a perfect 7/7 from the field.

LSU as a team was on fire in the first half and had a 59-42 lead at the break. They shot 9/12 from three, with five of the makes coming from Carson. Iowa battled back but could never overcome the first-half deficit.

The officiating came into question after the game following multiple calls against Iowa. Caitlin Clark picked up her third foul at the end of the second quarter. She sat for the last few minutes of the half and the foul trouble did not disappear.

Another key player for Iowa, Monika Czinano also had three fouls coming into halftime. Both Clark and Czinano would pick up their fourth foul on the same possession in what was the most controversial official decision.

Czinano picked up her fourth on a common foul with the controversy coming after the play. Clark was whistled for a technical foul after swiping the ball out of bounds. The replay looked harmless but nevertheless, LSU was awarded four free throws for the two fouls.

Frustration from Iowa fans ensued about the call and other decisions throughout the game. Iowa mounted a third-quarter comeback and the technical foul completely shifted the momentum. Clark and Czinano were both forced to the bench which made Iowa’s comeback chances even slimmer.

LSU was the better team and set the tone in the first half despite the questionable officiating. The Tigers had three players finish with over 20 points and ended the game 11/17 from three. LSU also had success with rebounds and won the battle 37-26.

The final takeaway from the game happened in the final minutes. LSU player Angel Reese made numerous gestures taunting Clark including following her toward the Iowa bench. The videos went viral on social media with many considering Reese’s actions unsportsmanlike.

This tournament was hopefully a sign of things to come for women’s college basketball regardless of the final outcome. Multiple viewer records were broken and Clark returning next year should only continue that progress.