Fourteen groups spent the previous week vying for the convention title, however this occasion felt like one final celebration of Clark for Large Ten followers who watched her develop right into a phenomenon over the previous 4 years. The match bought out for the primary time, and downtown was swarmed by followers — most of them carrying black and gold.
Fittingly, Clark lifted Iowa to its third consecutive title in improbable style throughout a 94-89 extra time victory over Nebraska. The now three-time Large Ten match most excellent participant completed with 34 factors, 12 assists and 7 rebounds. Clark scored or assisted on Iowa’s final 12 factors of regulation to erase a late deficit after which scored six straight in extra time to provide the second-seeded Hawkeyes a lead they by no means relinquished. The presumptive No. 1 decide of the WNBA draft poured in 30 factors after halftime, when Iowa trailed fifth-seeded Nebraska 46-35.
“If that is my final time enjoying in a Large Ten sport … then what higher approach to finish all of it?” Clark mentioned. “You’ve the extra time, we battle again, unhealthy capturing, good capturing, defensive stops. I imply, it simply actually had all of it on the largest stage. Can’t be happier for our group. This was the one method we might finish it.”
After a Nebraska shot went awry and the buzzer sounded to finish regulation, Clark appeared into the group and shouted, “5 f—ing minutes!” As extra time ended, she sprinted the size of the court docket earlier than chucking the ball into the stands. Moments later, confetti fell from the rafters and he or she was handed one other trophy.
Clark’s followers and their indicators have been all over the place within the constructing — and so they have been males, girls and youngsters. One lady mentioned she was keen to commerce a sibling for Clark’s autograph. One other fan in contrast her to Michael Jordan, calling her the best of all time. One claimed to have traveled about 24 hours to see the all-time scoring chief. At this match, Iowa followers dominated attendance for video games that didn’t even characteristic the Hawkeyes. However for his or her video games, cheers of “I-O-W-A!” echoed all through the constructing, and even the higher deck was packed.
Throughout her time right here this weekend, Clark grew to become the Large Ten match’s all-time scoring chief and the primary NCAA Division I girls’s participant to attain 1,000 factors in a number of seasons. She sits at 1,054 for 2023-24 and is closing in on Kelsey Plum’s single-season file of 1,109, set in 2016-17 for Washington.
All eyes have been on Clark, however Nebraska was unbothered by the hype throughout its first journey to the match ultimate because it beat Iowa in 2014. The Cornhuskers upset visiting Iowa on Feb. 11 regardless of Clark scoring 31 factors. And Sunday’s begin was a gradual one for Clark, who was 0 for 9 from behind the arc within the first half.
“Within the first half, it wasn’t at all times probably the most enjoyable,” she mentioned. “It was type of irritating at occasions. I feel that was type of our downside. We weren’t actually smiling and having enjoyable. The second half, we flipped what we have been doing … and had much more enjoyable. Issues began going our method. We have been simply much more affected person. If we need to attain our objectives in March, we’re going to discover methods to win that aren’t at all times fairly. … Our crew may be very ready for it.”
Added Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder: “You may possibly preserve Caitlin down for a half. You’re not retaining her down the entire sport. There’s no method.”
Nebraska sprinted to a 16-5 lead and held off a few Iowa runs to steer by 11 at halftime. The Cornhuskers have been 7 for 16 from behind the arc to select up the place they left off in Saturday’s semifinal win over Maryland. The Hawkeyes have been 4 for 16.
However Iowa discovered its footing within the third quarter, outscoring Nebraska 23-12 as Clark warmed up. Her first three-pointer was of the step-back selection, after which her reducing layup gave Iowa a 53-52 lead, its first since 5-4. Two Clark free throws despatched the sport to the fourth quarter with the rating tied at 58.
Clark shined down the stretch as an eight-point deficit disappeared, however Iowa delivered defensively, too. In extra time, Clark had a steal after hitting a step-back three to place her crew up 89-87. Gabbie Marshall blocked a three-pointer and had a deflection within the ultimate moments. The sport ended with Clark’s third steal.
“That is heart-wrenching and only a tremendous disappointing loss,” Nebraska Coach Amy Williams mentioned. “… Our youngsters got here right here anticipating to win.”
“We had your entire stadium in opposition to us, and we have been capable of silence the group,” the Cornhuskers’ Jaz Shelley mentioned. “… We simply fell a bit brief, however I feel we performed an amazing sport.”
Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke held down the fort whereas Clark struggled; she completed with 25 factors and 9 rebounds. Kate Martin added 13 factors, and Sydney Affolter had 11 factors and 11 rebounds.
Alexis Markowski led Nebraska with 23 factors and 13 rebounds. Natalie Potts posted 21 factors and 9 rebounds, and Shelley completed with 16 factors.
The Hawkeyes are in line to be a No. 1 seed within the NCAA match a yr after dropping to LSU within the championship sport. Large Ten followers obtained to say goodbye to Clark this weekend. The remainder of the nation can start to do the identical when the NCAA match begins in two weeks.
“It by no means will get previous reducing any web,” Clark mentioned. “I really feel like we’re fairly good at that now. Hopefully we get to do it a number of extra occasions right here developing in late March.
“To me, this isn’t a farewell tour. That is simply Iowa basketball having enjoyable and enjoying the sport. I don’t need it to be all about me. I simply need it to be us.”
