West Virginia nearly silenced Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in a gripping showdown on Monday night. However, despite a tense fourth quarter, Clark’s sheer determination propelled the No. 1 Iowa team to a narrow victory, sealing their spot in the Sweet 16 in her final game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
In a hard-fought second-round NCAA tournament clash in Iowa City, Clark and the Hawkeyes managed to outlast No. 8 West Virginia with a final score of 64-54. The game showcased an unusual performance from the Hawkeyes, who struggled offensively throughout, scoring only six points in the second quarter and managing just one field goal in the fourth. Despite this, Clark’s remarkable 32-point performance ensured Iowa’s advancement to face No. 5 Colorado in the Sweet 16 next weekend in Albany.
Clark’s standout performance also saw her surpassing Kelsey Plum to set a new NCAA Division I single-season scoring record, adding another milestone to her already remarkable season with a total of 1,113 points.
The game began with West Virginia taking an early lead, but the momentum quickly shifted as the Hawkeyes closed the first quarter with a 15-4 run, securing a five-point advantage. However, West Virginia tightened their defense in the second quarter, frustrating Clark and limiting Iowa’s scoring opportunities. Despite this, Iowa maintained a narrow two-point lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw Iowa’s offense reignite with a 12-2 run, led by Clark’s impressive shooting. Although West Virginia mounted a brief comeback, Iowa responded with crucial plays, including consecutive and-1s and key free throws to maintain their lead.
However, the fourth quarter brought further offensive challenges for Iowa, with a prolonged scoring drought. West Virginia capitalized on this, tying the game with a pivotal three-pointer from Jayla Hemingway. It wasn’t until late in the quarter that Iowa managed to regain the lead with a crucial field goal from Sydney Affolter, coupled with solid defensive plays.
Despite struggling to find their rhythm offensively, Iowa secured the win by capitalizing on free throw opportunities while staunchly defending against West Virginia’s attempts to rally.
JJ Quinerly led West Virginia with 15 points, supported by Kyah Watson’s 13 points and seven rebounds, and Hemingway’s 10 points off the bench. Clark’s stellar performance for Iowa included eight rebounds and three assists alongside her 32 points, despite shooting 5 of 14 from beyond the arc. Affolter contributed 13 points and seven rebounds, while Hannah Stuelke added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
With their hard-fought victory, the Hawkeyes now advance to face No. 5 Colorado in the Sweet 16. Colorado secured their spot with an upset win over No. 4 Kansas State, setting the stage for an exciting matchup in Albany on Saturday.
