Since 2010, the NBC and PAACOCK overtime thriller between Iowa and Ohio State on Sunday has been the most-viewed regular season women’s college basketball game.

Since 2010, the NBC and PAACOCK overtime thriller between Iowa and Ohio State on Sunday has been the most-viewed regular season women’s college basketball game.

This past weekend, the Ohio State women’s basketball team welcomed No. 2 Iowa to Ohio State and emerged victorious in overtime to narrow the gap to half a game behind Big Ten lead-holders and begin to make an early push to feed national recognition.

Not only the Ohio State and Iowa Hawkeyes appeared to be captivated by the exhilarating matchup. Since 2010, OSU vs. Iowa has been the most-viewed regular season women’s college basketball game, per NBC Sports PR.

By doing the quick math, that equates to fourteen years for games (on any network), so that’s truly remarkable. On average, the game attracted a staggering 1.93 million viewers.

The game reached its zenith with 3.9 million viewers during overtime, during which the Ohio State Buckeyes seized control with a decisive 17-9 scoring advantage.

In addition to the large attendance at Value City Coliseum to witness the upset of No. 2 Iowa by No. 18 Ohio State, an unprecedented number of individuals viewed the broadcast from their residences, elevating it to the most-watched women’s basketball regular season game since 2010.

With an overtime peak of 3.9 million viewers, NBC Sports reports that the Sunday afternoon game attracted an average of 1.93 million viewers.

This contest surpasses the ESPN regular season matchup between South Carolina and LSU from the previous year, which averaged 1.5 million viewers and peaked at 1.6 million.

The unprecedented viewership coincides with what was the highest-attended interior women’s basketball game of the season, which drew 18,660 spectators and broke the attendance record for the Ohio State women’s program.

On Sunday, Ohio State teacher Kevin McGuff exclaimed, “I am in the most pride of our community for coming out in support of us and such a great Iowa team.” “It was merely an incredible contest involving two good teams.”

The Big Ten matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Iowa Hawkeyes garnered an average viewership of 1.93 million, with NBC Sports reporting that 1.86 million of those viewers tuned in on NBC stations.

Since fourteen years ago, these figures represent the most-viewed women’s college basketball regular season game on any network.

The game reached its highest point in viewership history with 3.9 million individuals tuning in as Ohio State and Iowa started overtime.

In the extra frame, the Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes 17-9 due to goals from Cotie McMahon, Jacy Sheldon, and Rebeka Mikulasikova, all of whom contributed to the upset victory.

Sheldon contributed 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists to McMahon’s 33 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.

Lowa was led by 2023 Naismith Women’s College Player Player of the Year Caitlin Clark’s 45 points on 12-of-25 shooting and 14-of-16 free throw shooting.

McMahon has been recognized with several accolades since Sunday, including the AP National Player of the Week, Big Ten Player of the Week, and Naismith Women’s College Player in the Week.

“She was incredibly determined,” McGuff remarked following the game. “She was extremely attentive and focused.”

“This will hopefully serve as a powerful reminder to her of how exceptional she is and how much of an impact she can have on this team when her concentration and energy are as strong as they are today.”

Iowa’s superstar, who recorded a season-high 45 indications, was knocked to the ground by an oncoming fan on Sunday after Ohio State had defeated the Bison 100-92 in overtime.

In overtime, the No. 18 Buckeyes seized the initiative after tying the game despite a fourth-quarter deficit of 12 points.

The attendance of over 18,000 marked the largest crowd to ever attend a women’s basketball match at Ohio State.

Clark, who was leading the nation in scoring and was defending college player for the year, was inadvertently collided with by a fan as spectators flooded onto the court. She required assistance from her teammates to stand.

According to her coach, Lisa Bluder, the star player was subjected to inappropriate yelling from fans as well.

Ohio State coach Gene Johnson apologized to Clark for the incident after she responded that she was “fine.”

“It’s a tremendous victory for the program,” said Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff, who apologized to Clark for a post-game incident to begin his press conference.

No. 18 Ohio State defeated No. 2 Iowa 100-92, snapping the Hawkeyes’ 15-game winning streak. Cotie McMahon recorded a career-high 33 points as well as 12 rebounds for the Hawkeyes (18-2, 7-1 Big Ten).

McGuff stated, “We defeated an incredible team led by one of the greatest athletes in the history of our sport, and we did so in a crowd of 18,000 people.” “Therefore, the significance is that we can hopefully consolidate the momentum around that.”