Following the Final Four clash between UConn and Iowa, Gabbie Marshall, the guard for Iowa, faced a barrage of hateful comments on social media, compelling her to remove her accounts.
Expressing her ordeal during a media interaction reported by ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, Marshall stated, “I’m avoiding it. I’ve received a lot of hate comments. I didn’t make the call, so I’m unsure why there’s personal animosity directed towards me.”
The pivotal moment occurred with just 10 seconds remaining in the game, as UConn trailed by a single point, strategizing to potentially secure a lead-changing basket.
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As Huskies forward Aaliyah Edwards set a screen to create space for Paige Bueckers, Marshall attempted to navigate the obstacle but drew an offensive foul instead.
The contentious play sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning the game’s outcome hinging on a referee’s decision, arguing against the necessity of the call.
Marshall defended her actions, stating, “If it’s a valid call, its timing shouldn’t matter. I can’t control officiating, but I believed it was an illegal screen, not an isolated incident within the game.”
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The social media outcry included dissenting voices from figures like LeBron James and Kesley Plum. Marshall felt the controversy overshadowed Iowa’s victory and her commendable defensive effort against Bueckers, who tallied 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting.
Assigned the daunting task of guarding Bueckers throughout the game, Marshall displayed resilience in the face of a challenging matchup. Despite a physical encounter resulting in 27 combined fouls, the attention remained fixated on the disputed call, overshadowing the overall quality of play between two formidable teams.
