CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The third-ranked Iowa women’s basketball team came away with an 80-76 win over No. 8 Virginia Tech in the Ally Tipoff on Thursday night inside the Spectrum Arena. Iowa improves to 2-0 on the season.
There were 11 lead changes in the matchup as All-American Caitlin Clark had a game-high 44 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The senior contributed 18 points in Iowa’s, 33-32, lead at the half.
The Hawkeyes ran away with it in the second half, taking the first double digit lead of the game midway through the third quarter. Clark added 10, while Kylie Feuerbach scored eight in the third quarter.
Virginia Tech sunk back-to-back 3s in the fourth quarter to close the gap to within two, but the Hawkeyes ran away with it leading the entire second half.
Hannah Stuelke and Kate Martin both finished with double-digits in scoring, and Sydney Affolter crashed the boards, tallying a team and career-high 14 rebounds. Iowa also outscored Virginia Tech, 21-0, in fast break points.
POSTGAME NOTES
– Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Iowa leads the nation with 79 games of scoring 80+ points.
– Fifth time in Clark’s career she has registered 40+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds.
– Second AP Top 10 victory in the month of November and first of the Bluder era. The other came against LA Tech on Nov. 28, 1993.
– It was Iowa’s first AP Top 25 win in the month of November since the Hawkeyes defeated No. 25 WVU on Nov. 23, 2018.
– Iowa now leads the all-time series, 3-1.
– Bluder is 3-0 against Virginia Tech as the head coach at the University of Iowa.
– It was Bluder’s 17th AP Top 10 victory of her career.
– 11th AP Top 25 victory in the month of November in program history.
– 34th overall AP Top 10 win in school history. (34-70)
– 98th overall AP Top 25 victory in program history. (98-154)
– Clark has netted a 3-point basket in 60 consecutive games which is an NCAA-best.
– It was Clark’s 43rd career game with 25+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. (NCAA Best)
– Iowa is 6-3 when Clark records 40 or more points in her career. Clark has registered 40 or more points in three out of her last five games. (Louisville, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech)
– It was Molly Davis’ third career start for the Hawkeyes.
– It was the fifth time in Stuelke’s career that she has recorded back-to-back games in double figures.
QUOTING SUE P. BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH LISA BLUDER
“This was a great early season win. Virginia Tech is a great team. Even though we shot the ball so poorly, we got to the boards and got to the free throw line. I’m really proud of this group tonight.”
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UP NEXT
The third-ranked Hawkeyes return to action on Nov. 12, when they travel to Cedar Falls to face Northern Iowa. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CT). The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
