The No. 4 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes showed their dominance in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, as they defeated the Penn State Lady Lions by a score of 95-62. The Hawkeyes were led by freshman sensation Caitlin Clark, who broke the NCAA Division I record for 3-pointers in a season by a woman or man.
Clark Shines with Record-Breaking Performance
Clark, who was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out seven assists in the win. She also made six 3-pointers, giving her 125 for the season, surpassing the previous record of 122 set by Arizona’s Aari McDonald in 2018-19.
Clark, who averages 27.4 points per game, the best in the nation, said she was not aware of the record until after the game. “I had no idea,” she said. “That’s pretty cool. I’m just glad we got the win.”
Clark’s coach, Lisa Bluder, praised her star player for her remarkable achievement. “It’s amazing. It’s absolutely amazing,” Bluder said. “She’s a freshman. She’s doing this in her first year of college basketball. It’s incredible.”
Hawkeyes Display Balanced Attack and Solid Defense
Clark was not the only Hawkeye who had a stellar game, as four other players scored in double figures. Monika Czinano had 19 points and nine rebounds, McKenna Warnock had 15 points and eight rebounds, Gabbie Marshall had 12 points and Kylie Feuerbach had 10 points.
The Hawkeyes shot 53.6% from the field and 47.6% from beyond the arc, while holding the Lady Lions to 37.5% and 25%, respectively. They also outrebounded Penn State 49-32 and had 24 assists on 37 made baskets.
Bluder said she was pleased with her team’s performance on both ends of the floor. “I thought we played really well defensively,” she said. “We held them to 62 points, which is well below their average. And offensively, we shared the ball really well. We had great balance.”
Penn State Struggles to Keep Up with Iowa’s Pace and Firepower
Penn State, which entered the game as the No. 9 seed, had upset No. 8 seed Illinois in the second round on Thursday, but could not match Iowa’s pace and firepower on Friday. The Lady Lions trailed by 18 points after the first quarter and by 20 points at halftime.
Penn State’s coach, Carolyn Kieger, said her team was overwhelmed by Iowa’s offensive efficiency and defensive intensity. “They’re a tough team to guard,” she said. “They have so many weapons. They move the ball so well. They shoot the ball so well. And they play with a lot of energy and passion.”
The Lady Lions were led by Makenna Marisa, who had 18 points and six rebounds, and Tova Sabel, who had 14 points and five rebounds. They were the only two players who scored in double digits for Penn State, which finished the season with a 19-13 record.
Iowa Advances to Semifinals, Aims for Big Ten Title and NCAA Bid
With the win, Iowa improved its record to 27-4 and advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, where it will face No. 5 seed Michigan on Saturday. The Hawkeyes have won 11 straight games and are looking to win their second Big Ten title in three years.
Bluder said her team is confident and motivated to achieve its goals. “We’re playing really well right now,” she said. “We’re playing with a lot of joy and a lot of chemistry. We’re excited to be in the semifinals and we’re hungry for more.”
The Hawkeyes are also hoping to secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they have a chance to make a deep run with their potent offense and experienced roster. Clark said she is eager to play in her first NCAA Tournament and showcase her skills on the national stage. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said. “I’m ready for it. I think we’re ready for it. We’re going to go out there and play our game and see what happens.”