IOWA CITY, IA – Some games are more than just games. Some moments are bigger than the sport itself. Sunday, February 2, 2025, was one of those nights in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa, an unranked team lingering in the middle-to-lower tier of the Big Ten standings, stunned the college basketball world with an upset over No. 4 USC in front of a packed house. But this wasn’t just any night—it was Caitlin Clark’s night.
The greatest player in Iowa women’s basketball history returned to the place where she became a legend, as the Hawkeyes honored her by retiring her iconic No. 22 jersey. The energy inside Carver-Hawkeye was electric from the moment she stepped onto the court. Sitting alongside her in the stands was former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder, who led the program for over two decades before retiring after the 2023-24 season. Now, the program was in the hands of Jan Jensen, Bluder’s longtime assistant and successor. With two Iowa icons in attendance, the stage was set for something special.
USC, now in the Big Ten and carrying championship aspirations, walked into a buzzsaw of emotion and determination.
A Game for the Ages
Iowa came out on fire, riding the momentum of the sold-out crowd and the energy of Clark’s jersey retirement. The Hawkeyes jumped out to an 18-4 lead in the first quarter, stunning the Trojans with their intensity. But great teams don’t fold, and USC stormed back, flipping the script in the second quarter. The Trojans outscored Iowa 25-10 in the period, erasing the early deficit and heading into halftime with a 29-28 lead.
From there, it became a battle of will. The second half saw Iowa reclaim control, outscoring USC 48-40 over the final two quarters to seal the 76-69 upset victory.
USC’s star JuJu Watkins led the way for the Trojans, putting up 27 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. While she struggled with efficiency, shooting 36% from the field and just 14.2% from three, she made up for it at the free-throw line, knocking down 10 of 11 (90.9%). But Iowa’s Lucy Olsen stole the show, turning in a player-of-the-game performance with 28 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Olsen was significantly more efficient than Watkins, shooting 55.5% from the field and 88.8% from the free-throw line, delivering the key plays that secured Iowa’s statement win.
The celebration was as much about the win as it was about the woman in the stands. Caitlin Clark, the face of Iowa basketball, watched as the program she helped build delivered a moment that felt almost predestined.
What Happened Next?
As monumental as Iowa’s upset was, the season didn’t stop there. The Hawkeyes carried that momentum forward, proving that their win wasn’t just a one-night miracle.
On February 6, they went on the road and took down Minnesota, grinding out a tough 68-60 win in a hostile environment. Then, in what felt like a season-altering stretch, on February 10, they stormed into Lincoln and dominated Nebraska 81-66. Suddenly, a team that had been overlooked in the Big Ten was making noise, climbing its way back into the conversation.
Meanwhile, USC did what great teams do—they bounced back. The Trojans, still a powerhouse with championship aspirations, regrouped and took out their frustrations in Madison. On February 5, they dismantled Wisconsin 86-64 in a statement game, reminding everyone that despite the loss to Iowa, they weren’t going anywhere. Then, on February 8, they returned home and put on a clinic against Ohio State, crushing the Buckeyes 84-63.
A Night to Remember
For Iowa, the win over USC wasn’t just about rankings or records. It was about proving that, on any given night, they could rise to the occasion. It was about honoring the past while showing that the future still held promise. And most of all, it was about the magic of college basketball—where the underdog can defy the odds, where legends return home, and where, sometimes, you just can’t beat destiny.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena will never forget February 2, 2025. Neither will Caitlin Clark. Neither will Lisa Bluder. Neither will Iowa.
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