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IOWA CITY – It wasn’t the start of March Madness that Iowa or Caitlin Clark wanted, but in a month of survival and advancement, the Hawkeyes did just that in a 91-65 victory over Holy Cross in their first NCAA tournament. Home and away game on Saturday.
“I think the first quarter frustrated us all in some ways,” Clark said. “I feel like this is a game where you want to go out and dominate from the beginning because that’s what drives your career. Like coach (Lisa Bluder) said, I think maybe we played with a little rust.”
It had been 13 days since the Hawkeyes hoisted the conference trophy after the Big Ten Tournament title game, and that nearly two-week layoff seemed particularly evident early on, as No. 1 Iowa simply couldn’t get rid of the number 16. Santa Cruz.
The Crusaders came out with a physical and aggressive defense that filled the paint and gave the Hawkeyes problems from the start. As a team, Iowa shot the ball well in that first quarter (46 percent from the field, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc), but Iowa’s six turnovers (which Holy Cross turned into seven points) negated any kind of potential. early advantage that hot shots could have built.
In the second quarter, Iowa started to get into shape, making some back-to-back defensive stops and cleaning up the giveaways. The Hawkeyes outscored Holy Cross 25-9 in the second quarter, building an 18-point halftime lead that held for the rest of the game.
That particular quarter showed how dangerous the Hawkeyes are when they accelerate. They went on a 19-6 run that included five 3-pointers from five different players as Clark worked to stretch the defense and get inside to get to the free throw line. With Iowa stringing together consecutive stops and the offense clicking, the lead seemed to increase instantly.
“I think that’s one of the best parts of this team,” Clark said, “we’re always in a game no matter what the situation is.”
Despite Clark’s slow start (2 of 8 field goals in the first half) and six first-half turnovers, the senior turned in her usual dazzling performance, finishing the day with 27 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds ( and no rebounds in the second half). lost the ball). Sixth-year senior Kate Martin recorded a double-double (15 points, 14 rebounds), while reserve forward Addison O’Grady, who saw increased usage in the second half as starting forward Hannah Stuelke experienced symptoms of migraine, he had a season-high 14. points from the bench.
In addition to Stuelke’s presumed return, the Hawkeyes will also likely have fifth-year senior guard Molly Davis back in the lineup for Monday’s second-round game against West Virginia. Davis, who has averaged six points, three assists and three rebounds per game this season, suffered a knee injury late in the regular season. Having another primary ball handler to help Clark in the backcourt could be crucial on Monday as the Mountaineers use a stifling defense that presses full-court to force turnovers.
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(Photo: Matthew Holst/Getty Images)