Caitlin Clark's 41-point triple-double draws comparisons to Diana Taurasi

SEATTLE — On the biggest stage of her career — for now — Iowa guard Caitlin Clark delivered a performance for the ages on Sunday as the Hawkeyes downed Louisville 97-83 to reach the women's Final Four, recording the first 40-point triple-double in an NCAA tournament game (men's or women's) since assists became an official stat in 1984.

«She is spectacular,» Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. «I don't know how else to describe what she does on the basketball court. A 40-point triple-double against Louisville to go to the Final Four? Are you kidding? I mean, it's mind-boggling.»

It was a showing — 41 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists — that sent ESPN Stats & Information scrambling to the record books and longtime observers of women's basketball going back decades to find comparisons. And it began ignominiously, with Louisville racing to an 8-0 lead before Bluder called an early timeout. Immediately after returning to the court, Clark was called for traveling. Starting there, Clark wrested control of the game. Back-to-back layups followed by a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer brought the Hawkeyes within one. Clark was only warming up. She scored or assisted on all 25 of Iowa's first-quarter points and had reached 22 points and eight assists by halftime.

«When did I know she was going to have this kind of game?» Bluder asked. «I think the second quarter seemed pretty spectacular to me. I thought the first quarter she took a couple rushed [shot attempts]. But, you know, how can you argue with that when she has 41? Pretty hard to argue with it.»

After the Cardinals rallied to within one in the opening minute of the second half, having switched to a box-and-one defense to try to contain Clark, she was at the center of an 11-0 Iowa run.