Iowa, Clark challenged but advance
The only packing Caitlin Clark and Iowa are doing is for the Sweet 16.
Clark and the Hawkeyes outlasted West Virginia 64-54 on Monday in the women’s NCAA Tournament second round using an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to finally get separation from the Mountaineers. They then made their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Clark finished with 32 points, which gives her 1,113 for the season. That breaks, by four, Kelsey Plum’s singleseason Division I scoring record.
She also had eight rebounds and three assists, but six turnovers.
Clark and Iowa now move on to face Colorado in the Sweet 16 on Saturday in the Albany 2 Regional.
“I know I’ve given everything to this program, same with these two,” Clark said after the game, gesturing to fellow seniors Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall.
“There’s a lot to be proud of. I’m just thankful. I’m grateful.”
When the bracket was released, West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg said the Mountaineers were going to “send Caitlin Clark packing.”
He tried to walk that back before the game, but his team almost delivered. After trailing by 12 points midway through the third quarter, West Virginia tied the score three times in the fourth quarter.
But foul trouble, and a massive block by the 5-foot-9 Marshall, made the difference.
Marshall, who also had a pair of blocked shots in the Big Ten Conference tournament title game, swatted away J.J. Quinerly’s 3-point attempt.
Sydney Affolter got the ball and converted the three-point play after getting fouled on a driving layup.
Hannah Stuelke made three of four free throws and Clark made a pair, effectively sealing the win.
“This team was never flustered. I think that just speaks to our experience,” Clark said after the game.
Affolter finished with 13 points and Stuelke had a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards.
After losing to LSU in last year’s title game, Clark has said many times that Iowa has big goals this season, and that didn’t include losing at home in her final NCAA Tournament. The second-round game was played in Iowa City.
Clark, who earlier this season became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer, men’s or women’s, has now broken Kelsey Plum’s single-season Division I record. Clark came into the night needing 28 points, which she got with a free throw with 21.3 seconds left. She now has 1,111 points this season.