GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Thousands watched the women's championship game in Cleveland, and many went to local sports bars in West Michigan to see the historic game unfold.
"Women's basketball has picked up a lot of media and a lot of fans this year. I mean, it's very cool to see everyone supporting all the strong women here and women's basketball," said customer and basketball fan Karleigh Strazisar.
The Iowa Hawkeyes faced the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks team Sunday afternoon in a second straight season of the NCAA Division 1 women's tournament. Last year Iowa beat South Carolina in the semifinals, so Sunday's game was a rematch for the teams, now for the national title. Many local bars had the game on Sunday and some customers say watching the women's basketball game will encourage girls to play sports.
"It's great inspiration. Because, you know, there's more and more talent becoming and you know, women's basketball, it's just expanding. Like, they're like the whole league," said fan Gerry Martinez. "It's just bringing more attention. It's just great. You know, younger girls looking up to her. Yeah, she's just like inspiring the young generation."
One customer said Caitlin Clark on the Iowa team is an inspiration to women watching.
"Yeah, I mean, she means a lot to me and women's sports. I mean, she beat Pistol Pete's record here moving forward. She has a great long range shot and she's a great player and I think she makes her whole team better as well," said Strazisar.
South Carolina won the game, giving their team's head coach her third title. One customer said South Carolina's win was very important so they could redeem themselves against Iowa from last year's defeat.
"It's very important. They knocked this out last year. So it's a revenge story this year. But now Caitlin is doing great so far, but we got something for her," said fan Garry Gamble.
South Carolina defeated Iowa 87 to 75 and now holds this season's women's basketball championship title.
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