Caitlin Clark, a star player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, faced a tough defensive challenge from the West Virginia Mountaineers in their round of 32 matchup. Despite knowing what to expect, Clark struggled in the first half, recording more turnovers than assists and scoring their fewest first-half points of the season. However, in the third quarter, she took advantage of her opponent’s lapses and ultimately led the team to a 64-54 victory, breaking the NCAA single-season scoring record with 1,113 points.
The sellout crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena cheered on the Hawkeyes, especially in the fourth quarter when West Virginia tied the score at 48. Junior Sydney Affolter made a crucial basket, and Iowa closed out the game with a 12-2 run, securing their spot in the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. They will face Colorado with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight.
West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg anticipated a challenging environment and his team faced foul trouble in the second half, with six players picking up four fouls or fouling out. Despite holding Iowa to a low shooting percentage, the Mountaineers struggled to score from 3-point range, missing the majority of their attempts. Looking ahead to their Sweet 16 matchup against Colorado, they will need to regroup and focus on their game plan.
Last year, Iowa faced Colorado in the Sweet 16 and narrowly escaped with a win after a strong second-half performance. Clark reflected on her time at Iowa, expressing gratitude for the sold-out crowds and the support from the fans. With her collegiate career coming to a close, she cherished the moments on the court with her teammates and the excitement of playing in front of passionate fans. Moving forward, Iowa will look to build on their success and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
