Clark’s 35 carries Iowa women
Freshman’s performance in first half helps bury Kentucky
SAN ANTONIO — Iowa freshman Caitlin Clark finished with 35 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the fifth-seeded Hawkeyes advanced to the women’s NCAA Sweet Sixteen with a 86-72 victory over Kentucky on Tuesday.
The Hawkeyes (20-9) scored the game’s first 11 points and led throughout to advance past the second round for only the third time in their 14 NCAA appearances during coach Lisa Bluder’s 21 seasons.
Clark got the last of her 24 points before the break on two free throws with 3 seconds left.
Two-time AP All-american guard Rhyne Howard finished with 28 points to lead the Wildcats (18-9). She finished 8 of 21 with five 3-pointers, along with eight assists.
Czinano added 14 points and Warnock 10 as the Hawkeyes shot 57% (35 of 61) from the field.
Dre’una Edwards added 16 points for Kentucky, and Jazine Massingill had 10.
■ No. 1 Connecticut 83, No. 8 Syracuse 47: At San Antonio, Paige Bueckers scored 20 points and Aaliyah Edwards added 19 for the Huskies (261), who were missing coach coach Geno Auriemma as he recovers from COVID-19. Kamilla Cardoso had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Orange (15-9).
■ No. 2 Baylor 90, No. 7 Virginia Tech 48: At San Antonio, Moon Ursin and Dijonai Carrington each had 21 points as the reigning women’s national champion Lady Bears (27-2) advanced to their 12th consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
■ No. 6 Michigan 70, No. 3 Tennessee 55: At San Antonio, Leigha Brown scored 23 points and Naz Hillmon added 19 to lead the Wolverines (16-5) to their first Sweet Sixteen appearance. Rennia Davis scored 12 points to lead the Lady Vols (17-8).
■ No. 1 Stanford 73, No. 8 Oklahoma State 62: At San Antonio, Haley Jones scored 17 points and five rebounds for the Cardinal (27-2). Cameron Brink added 12 points and nine rebounds. Neferatali Notoa scored 14 for the Cowgirls (19-9).
■ No. 1 South Carolina 59, No. 8 Oregon State 42: At San Antonio, Aliyah Boston scored 19 points for the Gamecocks (24-4). Taylor Jones scored 13 points for the Beavers (12-8).
■ No. 5 Georgia Tech 73, No. 4 West Virginia 56: At San Antonio, Lotta-maj Lahtinen scored 22 points and Lorela Cubaj added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets (17-8), who advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in program history. Esmery Martinez scored 13 points to lead the Mountaineers (227).
■ No. 1 North Carolina State 79, No. 8 South Florida 67: At San Antonio, Jakia Brown-turner scored 19 points and Jada Boyd added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack (222). Elena Tsineke had 22 points to lead the Bulls (19-4).