The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team has won the Big Ten Tournament for the third year in a row, but Sunday afternoon’s game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers wasn’t easy.
Of course, all eyes were on Caitlin Clark’s performance in yet another conference championship game, especially considering she was named Most Outstanding Player the past two years.
However, Clark got off to a slow start in the game, going 0-for-9 from 3-point range, allowing Nebraska to win the first quarter 23-17 and take a 46-35 lead into halftime.
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Caitlin Clark (22) of the Iowa Hawkeyes hits Karin Hake (14) of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 10, 2024. protect (Adam Boettcher/Getty Images)
However, the Hawkeyes’ strong second half quickly got them back in the game. The score was tied by the end of the third quarter, and the game went into overtime after a back-and-forth game in the fourth.
Kate Martin played a big role in overtime, assisting on Hannah Stuelke’s first basket to make it 79-77. Then she started to pull away, hitting three-pointers.
But once again, Nebraska’s relentless effort made things difficult for Iowa State. Alexis Murkowski and Natalie Potts made layups to cut Iowa’s lead to one point, and Logan Nissley hit a 3-pointer of his own to give Nebraska the lead back, 84-82.
Kaitlyn Clark breaks another NCAA record previously shared with Steph Curry
But Martin quickly came back on the court and made a three to give the Hawkeyes momentum back. Then Clark arrived.
Nissley made another 3 with 1:11 left in overtime, but Clark responded with one of his own, keeping the Hawkeyes’ lead at 89-87 with less than a minute left. Clark then forced a turnover on Jazz Shelley with a steal and hit two free throws after being fouled.
Even after Nissley missed a 3 with 31 seconds left in the game, the Hawkeyes continued to play good defense and made late free throws for a 94-89 victory.
Hannah Stuelke of the Iowa Hawkeyes, 45, hits Alexis Markow of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half during the Big 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 10, 2024. Head to the basket against ski athletes. (Adam Boettcher/Getty Images)
Clark was 12-of-29 from the floor but just 5-of-17 from beyond the arc, finishing with 34 points, including 5-of-6 free throws. She had a double-double on the day with 12 assists and seven rebounds, as well as three steals.
For the Hawkeyes, Stuelke recorded 25 points and nine rebounds, and Sydney Affolter had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
With the Big Ten title, the Hawkeyes (ranked No. 3 nationally) should earn the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Next Sunday’s selection will solidify their standing and opponents as March Madness begins.
Clark will obviously be a big factor in the Hawkeyes getting back to the national championship game after losing to the LSU Tigers last season.
Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a first-half 3-point shot against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship at Target Center in Minneapolis on March 10, 2024. (Adam Boettcher/Getty Images)
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She continues to add to her all-time scoring record in Division I college basketball, and Iowa State will need all the scoring she can in the coming weeks.
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