EAST LANSING, Mich. – The nationally-ranked Iowa women’s basketball team found a way against Michigan State, winning 84-81, in overtime on Wednesday night inside the Breslin Center. There were 18 lead changes, was tied 11 different times, and the Hawkeyes secured its seventh conference win this season.
All-American Caitlin Clark registered her 34th career double-double, finishing with a game-high 26 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds. Monika Czinano broke a school record for single-game field goal percentage, going perfect, 11-11 from the field to finish with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Iowa struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter but found a way inside as 10 of its 18 points were from inside the paint. Czinano finished with six points, and Clark grabbed six rebounds in the first to take a five-point lead heading into the second.
Molly Davis swished a three to give Iowa some breathing room in the second. The team shot 34 percent from the field, and went into halftime down by one, after a buzzer-beater three from Michigan State.
The third quarter went back-and-forth, as Gabbie Marshall made back-to-back shots from behind the arc to give Iowa a one-point lead with six minutes remaining. The Spartans would go on a 4-0 run in the final seconds to take a 58-54, lead going into the final quarter.
Czinano had 10 points in the fourth, before fouling out with two minutes remaining. Iowa trailed by three, but pressure free throws from Kate Martin and Clark gave them a one-point lead in the final minute.
Clark hit the game-winner and sealed it with two free throws to give the Hawkeyes its fourth win a row.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Clark has notched a double-double in her third straight game.
- Clark extended her streak of scoring in double figures an astounding 71 games, which is a NCAA Division I best.
- Clark has netted a 3-point basket in 38 straight games. She has hit at least one 3-pointer in 79 career games.
- It was Iowa’s third victory of the season when trailing at half.
- Iowa improved to 2-0 this season in games that went to overtime.
- It was Clark’s 10thgame this season with +25 points, +5 rebounds, and +5 assists which is an NCAA best.
- Iowa’s last two wins at the Breslin Center have come in overtime. (2018)
- McKenna Warnock left the game with a hip injury. She is day-to-day.
- Clark is the only player in the nation with more than 490 points, 135 rebounds, 130 assists, and 25 steals this season.
- The Hawkeyes have won 10 out of its last 11 games dating back to Dec. 4, 2022.
- Czinano now ranks third all-time in scoring at Iowa with 2,104 career points.
QUOTING P. SUE BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH LISA BLUDER
“Happy with the mental resolve our team showed tonight. They really dug deep when it mattered, and we were able to come away with the victory. We will work on cleaning up some of the mistakes we made and get back to work. Looking forward to Ohio State on Monday.”
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UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes are set to travel to No. 2/2 Ohio State on Jan. 23. Tip-off in Columbus is set for 6 p.m. (CT) inside Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center. The game will broadcast on ESPN2 and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
