Caitlin Clark's Stunning 44-Point Performance Leads No 3 Iowa Hawkeyes to Victory over No 8 Virginia Tech
The No 3 Iowa Hawkeyes triumphed over the No 8 Virginia Tech Hokies with an impressive performance by Caitlin Clark, scoring 44 points They secured a 90-86 victory and extended their undefeated start to the season at 2-0
The No. 3-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes secured a remarkable win against the No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies with the outstanding performance of Caitlin Clark. Dominating the game, Iowa emerged victorious with a score of 90-86, starting the season with a flawless 2-0 record. Clark showcased her exceptional skills, contributing nearly half of the team's points by accumulating an impressive stat line of 44 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Despite not being at her peak efficiency, shooting 13 out of 31 from the field, the 21-year-old managed to make five three-point shots. Clark, who was naturally a focus for the opposing defense, was fouled 16 times during the game and successfully made 13 out of 17 free throws, while the entire Virginia Tech team drew 18 fouls.
According to Iowa, this marks the fifth occasion in Clark's career that she has achieved over 40 points, along with five or more assists and rebounds.
The Hawkeyes had a strong start, taking a 13-4 lead in the early stages of the game. However, the Hokies swiftly retaliated, going on a 14-2 run. The highlight of this run was an impressive buzzer-beating shot from half-court by Georgia Amoore, which gave Virginia Tech an 18-15 lead.
The first half of the game remained closely contested, with the scoreline reading 33-32 in favor of Iowa at halftime. Clark played a significant role in this, contributing 18 points.
Iowa maintained its lead throughout the second half, establishing a solid advantage in the third quarter. Despite Virginia Tech's efforts to stage a comeback and narrow the gap to just two points in the final minute, thanks to a late Amoore three-pointer, Iowa successfully fended off the Hokies and secured a narrow win against their top-10 opponent.
The Iowa bench reacts as they headed towards victory at Cassel Coliseum.
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance after the game, stating, "This victory is a significant achievement in the early season. Despite our poor shooting, we were successful in rebounding and drawing fouls. I am extremely proud of this group tonight, particularly their efforts against a formidable team like Virginia Tech."
Clark, the current National Player of the Year, maintains her impressive performance in her senior year as she tallied 28 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists in a dominant victory against Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Hawkeyes triumphed with a score of 102-46.
With two wins under their belt, Iowa aims to exceed their previous season's performance after their loss to LSU in the NCAA national championship game earlier this year.
