Caitlin Clark shares moment with Angel Reese, Kim Mulkey after Elite 8

Iowa defeated reigning nation champions LSU 94-87 in the Elite 8 on Monday to advance to the Final Four for the second straight season.

Much has been made of the relationship between Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark and the Tigers’ Angel Reese. Both women previously debunked any rumors that there was any beef between the two, instead chalking it up as a competitive, no friends on the floor kind of relationship — while still showing respect.

That same respect was on display during the handshake line postgame. The duo, who were obviously experiencing two different emotions after the contest went final, still were able to come together in the ultimate showing of respect as they embraced for a moment before parting ways.

A lot of respect between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Fierce competitors. They’ve made the game better. pic.twitter.com/zpgYGytzMk

— Dr. Lindsey Darvin (@DrLindseyDarvin) April 2, 2024

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey also embraced Clark in the moments following the final buzzer.

pic.twitter.com/RmIV02xSyq

— No Context College Basketball (@ContextFreeCBB) April 2, 2024

During the LSU postgame press conference, Reese opened up on what she and Clark discussed in the moments after suffering defeat.

“She just told me continue to be a great player and I told her continue to be a great player as well, and keep elevating the game and go win it,” Reese said.

Both competed to the very end as Clark finished with 41 points and 12 assists. Reese was just as impressive in her own respect, logging 17 points and was undeniable on the boards with a game-high 20, 10 of which were on the offensive glass.

Before the game even began, however, both pillars of college basketball explained what their relationship is actually like behind the scenes.

Clark explained that any issue people believed came between the two could be chalked up to on-court competitiveness. There were never any hard feelings off the court, and Clark said she hopes to battle against Reese in the WNBA for however long their basketball careers last.

Reese agrees with Clark’s sentiment, chalking up the so-called beef from last year’s title game to ultra competitiveness. The LSU star says there are no friends between the lines aside from your teammates — and that goes for everyone, not just Clark.

With a record number of college basketball fans tuning in to watch last year’s matchup, rumors and allegations regarding Clark and Reese’s relationship have spread for nearly an entire year. As we have seen after the final buzzer on Monday, that beef has seemingly been squashed.

Now, Iowa will join South Carolina and NC State in Cleveland for the Final Four and will play either UConn or USC. Action gets underway on Friday.