Nebraska's Upset of No. 2 Iowa Delivers Massive Ratings for Fox, Women's College Basketball

Fox scored a new record-high during Sunday's broadcast of the Nebraska-Iowa women's basketball game. The network saw 1.772 million viewers tune into the rivalry showdown, most for a women's basketball game in network history.

Nebraska's upset of No. 2 Iowa on Sunday in Lincoln raked in a massive viewing audience for Fox. The network announced that the rivalry game between the Huskers and the Hawkeyes became the most-watch women's college basketball game in Fox Sports history.

A total of 1.772 million viewers tuned in for Sunday's game — an 82-79 victory for Nebraska. Pinnacle Bank Arena was also sold out for the matchup.

Several factors played into Sunday's high viewership totals. The intense rivalry between Nebraska and Iowa; the opportunity to potential see Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark break the all-time scoring record; and Huskers center Alexis Markowski is tied in atop the Big Ten for most double-doubles this season (14). 

Those who watched Sunday's rivalry tilt witnessed a great basketball game in Lincoln — well, unless you're an Iowa fan. Nebraska overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and held Clark scoreless in the final 10 minutes. 

Nebraska star Jaz Shelley hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30 seconds to play to give the Huskers a 78-77 advantage. She also connected on her final four free throws to help put the Hawkeyes away.

Clark needed 39 points to pass Kelsey Plum as the all-time leader in scoring in women's college basketball. The senior finished the afternoon with 31 points, meaning she needs eight more to set a new NCAA record.

After the game, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder was caught on audio ranting about the postgame media setup. She was peeved that Nebraska's players were on the podium prior to Iowa.

"We got a flight to catch. This is bulls***," Bluder said. "This is not Big Ten protocol."

So, we had dramatics before and after Sunday's game.

Related Big Ten stories

• LISA BLUDER GOES OFF: Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder was caught ranting about the postgame media setup following the Hawkeyes' loss to Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS: After getting off to a hot start in Big Ten play, Wisconsin has lost four straight games to Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan and Rutgers. It's fair to ask the question: Are the Badgers broken? Plus, how every other team in the conference stacks up in mid-February. CLICK HERE
• BIG TEN DAILY: Jaz Shelley scored 23 points and Alexis Markowski recorded her 14th double-double of the season in Nebraska's 82-79 upset win over No. 2 Iowa on Sunday. The Huskers also prevented Caitlin Clark from breaking the NCAA women's scoring record this weekend. CLICK HERE