Even though it wasn't her best game of the season, Iowa guard Caitlin Clark stepped up when it mattered.
Down 87-86 with 51 seconds remaining, the three-time All-American drilled a three-pointer, giving the Hawkeyes a two-point lead against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The big shot helped Iowa capture a 94-89 victory and a third consecutive Big Ten tournament title.
"You want to have a Caitlin Clark on your squad. What a response!"@IowaWBB with the lead. pic.twitter.com/LaFxqHrUNy
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) March 10, 2024
Clark went 5-for-17 from three and had seven turnovers, but she finished with 34 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and three steals.
Senior Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke had 25 points, her second-highest mark this season, and guard Kate Martin scored 13 points, went 4-for-5 from three and had two blocks.
Other players stepping up is a positive for the Hawkeyes. Clark needs more help from her supporting cast. Entering this matchup, the 22-year-old star was the only player on the team averaging more than 15 points per game.
Following the victory, Iowa should seal a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In his latest bracket, ESPN's Charlie Creme listed the Hawkeyes as a top seed, along with Texas, South Carolina and Stanford.
As of Sunday, FanDuel gives them the third-best odds (+600) to win their first national title.
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