What. A. Game.
The Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State Buckeyes played in an absolute classic on Sunday afternoon in front of a capacity crowd in Columbus, Ohio. The two Big Ten contenders pushed each other to the absolute limit, trading buckets back and forth in a true game-of-the-year contender.
Unfortunately, Iowa could not overcome the Buckeyes, dropping this one 100-92 in overtime.
Everything about this contest had a big-game feel to it. Two top teams that can make some noise this year in the postseason in an absolute dogfight in front of a passionate crowd on national television. And then it went into overtime. This is everything we love about sports, though we’d have preferred a victory for the Hawkeyes.
There’s absolutely no shame in losing this one for the Hawkeyes, dropping to 18-2 (7-1 Big Ten) on the season. Senior guard Caitlin Clark played her heart out, nearly matching a career-high with 45 points.
The Buckeyes (15-3, 6-1 Big Ten) were up for the challenge all game, though. Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon in particular had a fantastic game. She led Ohio State with a career-high 33 points, looking seemingly unstoppable late in the game.
Iowa will have their chance for revenge on Senior Night later this season, but today was just the Buckeyes’ day. Just how it happens sometimes.
Here are the best social media reactions from a true roller coaster of a contest.