IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caitlin Clark brought them here.
She assured that all 14,000-plus seats will be filled, as they will be throughout the season.
She made sure that even those who couldn’t find tickets for less than $300 in the hours leading up to tipoff didn’t think twice about price.
She made sure it was a night to remember.
She said goodbye with the most powerful promise that they would meet again.
In the final home game of her legendary career, Caitlin Clark led Iowa back to the Sweet 16 with 32 points and eight rebounds as the No. 1 Hawkeyes defeated a close game 64-54 in the second round. NCAA tournament held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa State (31-4) continues its quest for another Final Four berth Saturday in Albany. There, they faced No. 5 Colorado State (24-9) in a rematch of last year’s Sweet 16, but Iowa won by eight points with Clark’s 31 points. We support you.
West Virginia (28-5) did its best to spoil the festivities, giving Clark the roller derby treatment from the tip.
The Mountaineers, who lead the nation in steals, had four steals in the first quarter to extend their lead to 11-5, before Clark hit a series of trademark 3s to put the Hawkeyes ahead.
The physicality got even better in the second quarter.
It was ugly.
It was rough.
It was a game that depended on desire, losing the ball sooner, or being too stubborn to obey the opponent’s will.
