Aiexpress – Indiana’s suffocating defense limited Caitlin Clark to only 24 points and held the Iowa Hawkeyes to a measly 17.9% shooting from beyond the arc. This impressive defensive performance resulted in a resounding blowout victory for Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana.
Clark struggled with her shooting in the recent game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, making only 8 of her 26 shots. Her performance from beyond the arc was particularly challenging, as she managed to convert just 3 of her 16 attempts from 3-point range. Despite these shooting struggles, Clark did contribute in other areas of the game, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out nine assists. However, she did commit five turnovers throughout the course of the game.
“Our girls deserve credit for their tenacity,” Clark expressed to reporters. “Throughout the fight, they consistently found a way to respond and come up with a solution.”
Senior guard Sara Scalia had an outstanding performance, leading the way with a game-high 25 points for the No. 14 Hoosiers. Not to be outdone, senior forward Mackenzie Holmes also made a significant contribution, scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Their impressive performances helped propel the team to victory.
The Iowa Hawkeyes, ranked fourth in the nation, dominated in key areas of the game against their opponents. They excelled in points scored in the paint (40-34) and points generated through fast breaks (25-12). However, they faced a setback in second-chance points, being outscored 13-5. Despite this, their robust defense disrupted the rhythm of the opposing team and helped them gain momentum on their home court.
“They displayed incredible tenacity,” Clark expressed admiringly about the Hoosiers defense. “The support of 17,000 enthusiastic fans screaming for you undoubtedly boosts morale. It’s a vital factor that has never failed to motivate us. It’s a quality we possess and have consistently demonstrated throughout the entire season.”
“We have no reason to feel discouraged. We’ll simply reflect, learn from it, and move forward. Sulking over a single loss isn’t productive; that’s not how we approach things.”
The Hoosiers dominated the Hawkeyes in multiple areas of the game. They outshot their opponents, with an impressive 51.6% shooting percentage compared to the Hawkeyes’ 38.8%. Additionally, the Hoosiers displayed their prowess from beyond the arc, burying 42.9% of their 3-point attempts. Throughout the game, they held the lead for an impressive 33 minutes and 22 seconds out of the total 40 minutes.
According to Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder, the opposing team played exceptionally well and had an excellent game plan. She acknowledged that their strategies at times frustrated Caitlin, and they struggled to find an answer for Sara Scalia. Bluder admitted that her team did not perform up to par and credited Indiana for their strong performance.
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Despite not reaching her season’s per-game points average of 32.4, Clark, who broke the NCAA record for the most points by a women’s college basketball player on Feb. 15, is still within striking distance of several significant milestones.
With a total of 3,593 career points, she is now just 66 points away from surpassing Lynette Woodard, the former Kansas star who holds the record for the most points scored in women’s college basketball history. It’s worth noting that Woodard’s record was set before the NCAA started sponsoring women’s sports.
Clark is just 75 points away from surpassing the record set by LSU legend Pete Maravich (3,667). Maravich currently holds the title for the most career points in college basketball, whether it be men’s or women’s.
The Hawkeyes only have three regular-season games left on their schedule. In the season finale on March 3 against Ohio State, Clark has the opportunity to surpass Maravich and Woodard if she maintains her average point total in each game leading up to it. Alternatively, she could achieve this milestone even earlier if she exceeds her average over the next two games, including the upcoming matchup against Minnesota.
During her postgame news conference, Clark, who is widely expected to be the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, was questioned about her future plans. However, she made it clear that she is solely focused on the current college basketball season. The Indiana Fever holds the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Clark expressed his current focus on the team, emphasizing his dedication to Iowa and the pride he takes in representing his state. He stated that he is putting his heart into each game and not overly concerned about what lies ahead.
According to the On3.com database, Clark’s annual value is projected to be nearly $1 million through her name, image, and likeness deals. As a senior, Clark has the option to return for a fifth year since she began her college career during the COVID-19-impacted 2020-21 season.
During the 2023 season, none of the WNBA players made over $235,000 in salary.
The next game for the Hawkeyes (23-4) is scheduled to be held in Iowa City, where they will host Illinois at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday. The game will be televised on FS1. In their previous match, the Illini (13-12) caused an upset by defeating the Hoosiers 86-66 in Champaign, Ill.
The Hoosiers, with a record of 22-4, are set to face Northwestern (8-18) in a highly anticipated matchup on Tuesday evening in Evanston, Illinois.
