IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Minnesota, 87-64, in their conference home opener on Saturday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win marked P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s 234th Big Ten Conference win, which becomes the most regular season wins in the Big Ten.
Two Hawkeyes recorded double-doubles, as All-American Caitlin Clark was one assist away from her eighth career triple-double, finishing with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to earn her 30th career and fourth double-double of the season. Senior McKenna Warnock had a night herself, not only eclipsing 1,000 points but also recording her 12th career double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Iowa was scrappy tonight, forcing 17 Gopher turnovers and they capitalized with 26 points. Sydney Affolter grabbed a steal to give Clark an easy fast break layup to put the Hawkeyes up by 15 in the second half. The sophomore had three steals tonight to set a new career high.
The Hawkeyes struggled shooting in the third, shooting only 39 percent from the field to head into the fourth up by 12. Iowa’s kept their defensive intensity throughout the fourth, holding Minnesota to 10 points to come away with their second conference win of the season.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Head Coach Lisa Bluder became the Big Ten’s all-time leader for regular season conference wins. (234)
- It was Iowa’s first 2-0 start in Big Ten action since 2017-18.
- Iowa extended its winning streak over the Gophers to eight.
- Iowa has won nine out of the last 11 matchups.
- All-American Caitlin Clark registered her 30th career double-double with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
- Clark scored 30+ points for the third time this season and 25th time in her career.
- Clark has netted a 3-point basket in 30 straight games. She has hit at least one 3-pointer in 71 career games.
- Clark is the only player in the nation with more than 300 points, 70 rebounds, 70 assists, and 15 steals this year.
- McKenna Warnock became the 41st Hawkeye to eclipse 1,000 career points.
- Warnock recorded her 12th career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
- Warnock’s 10 boards and four assists sets her new season-highs.
- Monika Czinano had 22 points, five boards, and two assists. It’s the third time this season she has registered 20 or more points.
- Warnock also surpassed 600 career rebounds.
- It was Iowa’s seventh win by double figures this season.
- Iowa led from tip-off to the fourth quarter buzzer.
- Iowa has welcomed more than 8,200 fans into Carver-Hawkeye Arena in four straight contests.
- Warnock is now tied for 12th all-time in career 3-pointers (143) with teammate Gabbie Marshall.
QUOTING P. SUE BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH LISA BLUDER
First of all, congrats to Mckenna surpassing 1,000 points and 600 rebounds in her career. That is not an easy feat. Caitlin flirted with a triple-double, but it wasn’t worth risking an injury after Kate Martin went down today. I thought our defensive intensity was good today especially coming off of an emotional game against Iowa State. When Martin went down, it shocked our team. Everyone on this team really cares about each other and when one of their teammates falls, we’re all concerned. I think that really took them out of their rhythm a little bit, and it took us a little time to get refocused again. Affolter just went in and played very well when we needed her to. I’m very happy with how she stepped up tonight.
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UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes are set to host Northern Iowa on Dec. 18. Tip-off in Iowa City is set for 2:01 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will broadcast on BTN+ (subscription required) and on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
