Sports News

CHARLOTTE — The dynamic force that Iowa women's basketball heavily relies on experienced an unusually prolonged period of struggle in Thursday's highly anticipated matchup, which was expected to showcase an abundance of scoring from two top-ranked teams.

Fortunately for the Hawkeyes, their 22nd-ranked team typically finds a way to overcome adversity.

Despite a subpar shooting performance from Caitlin Clark and the entire third-ranked Hawkeyes squad against the fifth-ranked Virginia Tech, Iowa's standout player managed to lead her team to victory through aggressive drives and intelligent passing, eventually finding her rhythm from beyond the arc. The end result was an 80-76 triumph for Iowa at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, a significant win that establishes a strong early indication of the team's potential.

Clark's performance in front of a pro-Virginia Tech crowd was nothing short of grueling, as she delivered an impressive 44-point showing. The fans, adorned in Clark merchandise and holding handmade signs, made their presence known with the loudest cheers when the final buzzer sounded.

In terms of statistics, Clark went 13-for-31 from the field, with 5-for-16 from beyond the arc and an impressive 13-for-17 at the free-throw line. It was during the crucial moments of the game, particularly in the fourth quarter, that Clark truly shined, contributing 16 points to secure Iowa's victory.

Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks aptly described Clark's skill and strategic prowess, comparing her to someone playing chess while others are playing checkers. It is evident that Clark's talent and ability make her a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Despite having a smaller team and limited playing time for Hannah Stuelke due to fouls, Iowa managed to outrebound Virginia Tech 47-40. Sydney Affolter played a crucial role in the win by grabbing 14 rebounds in under 26 minutes, even though she only scored two points. Her ability to end Tech's possessions was especially important since their 6-3 post player, Addison O'Grady, did not play. Clark had to focus on what was working during a rough first half and relied on hard drives into the lane to secure the win.

Clark expressed his thoughts on the game, highlighting the referees' decision to call the game closely on both ends of the court. He suggested that driving to the basket and drawing fouls could be a strategic move. Clark also mentioned that the team had a good performance at the free-throw line, making 18 out of 22 attempts. Despite missing several three-point shots, Clark believed that they had many good opportunities from deep. He acknowledged the challenge of staying confident as a shooter when the shots don't go in. Additionally, Clark praised the team's ability to drive to the basket effectively. At halftime, Clark had scored 18 points on 15 shots, with slightly more field goals than free throws. Despite their struggles with three-pointers, Iowa still held a slim one-point lead at the break.