Caitlin Clark led the way with an impressive 32-point performance as the top-seeded Iowa team narrowly defeated eighth-seeded West Virginia with a score of 64-54 in the women’s NCAA Tournament second round. Despite facing one of their toughest offensive challenges of the season, the Hawkeyes managed to secure a spot in the Sweet Sixteen where they will face off against the fifth-seeded Colorado team.
The game’s decisive moment came with just over two minutes remaining when Sydney Affolter’s three-point play put Iowa ahead 55-52, marking the team’s only field goal in the fourth quarter. Clark and Hannah Stuelke sealed the victory by sinking nine free throws down the stretch.
In a poignant moment as the final buzzer sounded, Clark bid farewell to her college home court by creating a heart-shaped gesture with her hands, acknowledging the roaring applause from the enthusiastic crowd. With her 32-point performance, Clark surpassed the previous single-season scoring record, totaling 1,113 points for the season, surpassing Kelsey Plum’s previous record of 1,109.
Reflecting on the game’s intensity, Clark highlighted the team’s resilience and composure during crucial moments. Despite facing a challenging start to the final quarter with a 10-0 run by West Virginia, Iowa remained unfazed and rallied to secure the victory. The Hawkeyes, known for their high-scoring offense throughout the season, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a below-average 36.4% from the field in this particular game. In addition to Clark’s standout performance, Affolter contributed 13 points, with Stuelke chipping in 12 points and 11 rebounds.
At a pivotal juncture in the game, Iowa appeared to have control after an 8-0 run in the final moments of the third quarter extended their lead to 48-38. However, West Virginia staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, leveling the score at 52-52 with just over five minutes remaining, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.