Referee explains controversial technical foul called on Caitlin Clark

One of the most bizarre moments of the women’s national championship game was in the third quarter when a seemingly random technical foul was called on Iowa guard Caitlin Clark. Clark casually tossed the ball behind her following a foul called on teammate Monika Czinano, which was deemed a technical foul by the game’s officials.

The call left of both Iowa and LSU fans perplexed. But after the game, one of the game’s three officials Lisa Jones explained why the foul was called on Clarke, citing a previous incident that occurred during the contest.

“lowa received a delay of game warning in the third period at the 7:28 mark for batting the ball away after a made basket, causing a delay. The second offense was when No. 22 from lowa picked up the ball and failed to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official after the whistle was blown. Rule reference — Rule 10, Section 12. Article 3K,” Jones said. “The definition of the delay can be found in Rule 4. Section 9. Article 1F, by failing to and it reads, attempting to gain an advantage by interfering with the ball after a goal, or by failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official after the whistle is blown.”

Postgame comment from referee Lisa Jones, asked by pool reporter about the technical foul called on Caitlin Clark: pic.twitter.com/UfymUfIPvO

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 2, 2023

Jones broke down by the book why the foul was called, but many will still likely disagree with it given the circumstances, stakes, and stage of a national championship game. Clark ended the night as the game’s leading scorer with 30 points and eight assists, but it was not enough for the Hawkeyes, as they were defeated 102-86 by the Lady Tigers.

Caitlin Clark called for questionable technical foul in national championship game

Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark is not only known for her dazzling play on the court but her fiery, competitive nature. And in the national championship game versus LSU, that competitive fire may have gotten the best of her on a controversial foul call.

"Here's the T on Caitlin Clark… I mean… you have GOT to be kidding me." – @RyanRuocco

"No player in this game should get a technical foul for that." – @RebeccaLobo pic.twitter.com/qQuJD6bUTz

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2023

Down 73-64 in the third quarter, Iowa center Monika Czinano was called for her fourth foul of the game, a foul that did not come to the liking of Clark. After the call without saying a word to an LSU player of an official, Clark casually tossed the basketball behind her, which did not come to the liking of the referees.

A technical foul was called on Clark for the ball toss, a questionable call in a crucial moment of the biggest women’s basketball game of the year. The call was one that the Hawkeyes and many others disagreed with, and can be seen below.