Tag: Kate Martin

Las Vegas Aces earn high marks from ESPN for drafting Kate Martin

Kate Martin has the “it” factor. It is hard to describe, but she has it. That has helped earn the Aces’ draft selection high marks.

When you are the two-time defending champions, you have the luxury of going after players that may be hidden during the draft process in an effort to find someone unsuspecting.

The Las Vegas Aces appear to have done that as they selected Kate Martin in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. The Iowa guard joins Caitlin Clark as the two Hawkeyes that heard their names called.

The women’s basketball world and Iowa fans lit up when Martin heard her name called as she has become a fan favorite for her hard-nosed, gritty, tough play she always showed in big moments. This sort of mentality and toughness has helped the Aces earn high marks from ESPN for their selection of Kate Martin.

The two-time defending WNBA champions don’t have any obvious needs, and it’s possible none of these players makes the team, because it’s so hard to do.

But in Fair and Martin, the Aces took two different kinds of underdogs: Fair because of her 5-foot-5 size and Martin because she doesn’t really have an obvious position she fits into as a pro. But they’re both accustomed to being underestimated and proving people wrong. – Michael Voepel, ESPN

Kate Martin played guard for the Hawkeyes but she was often found in the paint unafraid to get physical for rebounds, defense, and loose balls. She has a three-point shot as her last two season at Iowa saw her hit 39.2% from behind the arc.

Martin likely faces an uphill battle to make the roster but that is something she welcomes. The gritty guard welcomes the challenge and if there is anyone who can steal a roster spot, Kate Martin is ready for the challenge.

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Las Vegas Aces select Iowa star Kate Martin in 2024 WNBA draft

The Glue is headed to the WNBA.

The Glue is headed to the WNBA.

Iowa star guard Kate Martin was selected by the two-time defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces with the 18th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft.

Martin averaged career highs in points (13.1) and rebounds (6.8) this past season as she operated as Caitlin Clark’s leading backcourt running mate en route to another Final Four and national championship game appearance.

The 6-foot graduate guard shot 50.7% from the field, 37.0% from 3-point range and 86.4% from the free throw line this past season with the Hawkeyes. Martin also averaged 2.3 assists per game.

“Man, a lot of emotions,” Martin said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe on the WNBA draft broadcast. “I’m really happy to be here. I was here to support Caitlin. But, you know, I was hoping to hear my name called and all I wanted was an opportunity and I got it. So I’m really excited.”

Martin hopes to showcase her versatility at the next level with the Aces.

“Yeah, I’m super excited for the opportunity. You know, I have a really good work ethic. But more than anything, I think I’m a very versatile player. I can score multiple levels and I can guard multiple positions, but I’m really excited to get there and I know I’m gonna give it all I got,” Martin said.

With Martin’s selection by the Las Vegas Aces, Iowa has now had five Hawkeyes selected into the WNBA since 2019. Martin joins Kathleen Doyle, Megan Gustafson, Monika Czinano, and, of course, this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Caitlin Clark.

Nineteen Hawkeyes have been drafted or signed in the WNBA since the league originated in 1997. This marks the first time since 1998 that two Hawkeyes have been drafted in the same year.

Martin will join forces with Gustafson as fellow Hawkeyes on the Aces’ roster.

The Edwardsville, Ill., native just capped a historic chapter with the Hawkeyes. Individually, Martin is the only player in Iowa history to have amassed 900 or more points, 500 or more rebounds, 400 or more assists, 120 or more steals, and 60 or more blocks in a career.

Martin joins Clark and Sam Logic as the third Hawkeye in school history to net 1,200-plus points, 700-plus rebounds, and 450-plus assists.

“I’m so proud of Kate because her dreams came true. She has been such a big part of our program over the last six years. Her efforts did not go unnoticed by her peers. I wish Kate all the success with this next step,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said.

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Could Kate Martin get drafted? ESPN’s WNBA mock draft sees Iowa guard selected

Could Kate Martin join Caitlin Clark as a WNBA draftee? ESPN’s recent mock draft predicts the gritty guard hearing her name called.

Could the Iowa Hawkeyes see their WNBA draft history add not just one name, but two, to their list tonight? It appears that a Hawkeyes’ guard is showing enough to potentially sneak her way into the draft.

Caitlin Clark has all but been selected by the Indiana Fever at No. 1 overall. She could be joined by fellow guard Kate Martin tonight is the dominos fall the right way.

The gritty guard has always been a constant for the Hawkeyes over their three year run that has catapulted the program to new heights. Known as “the glue” for Iowa, Martin was always in the right spot at the right time getting rebounds, diving on loose balls, and somehow finding a way to get a big bucket when Iowa needed it.

That sort of toughness and high basketball IQ can be enough to land a spot with a team and bring a lot of value. ESPN’s Michael Voepel seems to think Kate Martin brings enough to the table to get drafted. He has predicted Kate Martin to go in the third round at No. 28 overall to the Los Angeles Sparks.

During her five seasons at Iowa, Kate Martin appeared in 163 games with 139 starts under her built. She is incredibly experienced. She averaged career-bests in 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season. She is a career 35.5% three-point shooter which is another weapon in her arsenal.

Kate Martin is tough and often has just needed a chance to prove what she can do. Tonight could see a WNBA franchise select her and give her the chance to show her abilities.

The WNBA draft airs tonight at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin reflect on Iowa legacies

Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin leave larger than life Iowa and women’s basketball legacies.

The careers of Iowa stars Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin have come to a close.

After their national championship loss versus South Carolina, the next chapter for the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ legendary duo and for the program has arrived.

After playing in 139 games alongside one another, Clark and Martin guided Iowa to a regular season Big Ten championship, three Big Ten Tournament titles and a pair of Final Fours and national championship game appearances.

Clark’s school and national records are plentiful. Together, Clark and Martin turned Iowa and women’s basketball into a TV ratings success unlike ever before seen.

What do they feel their lasting legacies are?

“I don’t know if you can really describe and put it into words this legacy. Honestly, I just hope we’ve brought a lot of people joy and we’ve brought a lot of people together. I hear all the time about how many friends people have made in the stands just watching our games. We sold out every single home game this year at Carver.

“And everywhere we go, we have fans lining up wanting Caitlin’s autograph, our autograph. More than anything, our legacy is what we’ve brought to the state of Iowa, I think, and all the joy and the fun. It’s pretty cool to be coached by coach Bluder and the culture she’s built at Iowa. I think just watching us, you can see the joy that we have. I think that’s the main thing for our legacy,” Martin said.

Clark echoed those sentiments and shared some of what she’s proud of.

“I think this group has gone about it in the right way in every single thing that we’ve done in every phase of our life. I think that’s what you can be the most proud of. We truly have each other’s back. Maybe we weren’t always the most skilled. Maybe we weren’t always the tallest. Maybe we weren’t always the fastest, but we just believed. We knew we could be in these moments. We trusted one another. That took a couple of years to get to that point.

“There’s been so many great Iowa women’s basketball players to come before us and allow this program to be really, really good when Kate and I and everyone else stepped on campus. And I feel like we took it to a whole other level. I feel like our program is in good hands moving forward,” Clark said.

The two-time Naismith Trophy recipient assumes fans will remember the two Final Four trips, but she hopes fans remember how those moments made them and their families feel.

“I think more than anything people will probably remember our two Final Fours and things like that. But people aren’t going to remember every single win or every single loss. I think they’re just going to remember the moments that they shared at one of our games or watching on TV or how excited their young daughter or son got about watching women’s basketball. I think that’s pretty cool.

“Those are the things that mean the most to me when people come up to me, and, I don’t really get offended when people say I never watched women’s basketball before. I think, one, you’re a little late to the party, yes. But, two, that’s cool. We’re changing the game. We’re attracting more people to it. But at the same time, those little things are, I think, the moments that we’ll remember forever,” Clark said.

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Lisa Bluder celebrates Iowa’s warrior, Kate Martin

After her late-game heroics and toughness in the Hawkeyes’ win vs. UConn, Lisa Bluder and Iowa paid homage to its “warrior,” Kate Martin.

As The Glue typically does, graduate guard Kate Martin came up with several massive plays down the stretch of the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ Final Four win over UConn.

Martin scored six fourth-quarter points on a pair of fadeaway jumpers and a driving floater. The 6-foot guard’s first fadeaway jumper came with 6:25 remaining to put Iowa up by seven, 64-57, as Martin faded away from UConn guard Paige Bueckers.

Then, in the game’s final three minutes, Martin came up with back-to-back key buckets that gave the Hawkeyes a six-point lead on each offensive trip.

Martin netted another fadeaway jumper over UConn’s Bueckers as she drove to the block, pivoted and faded away, sinking the fallaway jumper to put Iowa in front, 68-62, with 2:57 remaining.

On Iowa’s ensuing possession, Martin took the basketball on a handoff from fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall. She drove and spun past UConn defender Ashlynn Shade, floating home to put the Hawkeyes in front, 70-64, with 2:14 left to play.

All of this came after Martin’s nose was bloodied by UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards’ elbow on Edwards’ basket that tied the basketball game at 47 apiece with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter. Martin fell to the floor in a heap and spent a brief moment being attended to in Iowa’s locker room.

Of course, Martin returned and authored several of the game’s biggest plays for the Hawkeyes. Martin finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals against the Huskies.

Afterward, Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder tipped her cap to her captain’s toughness and magical playmaking.

“Kate Martin, what a warrior. That kid, she was not going to be denied in that fourth quarter. Some of those takes she had to the basket, turnarounds, strong jumpers.

“I don’t know what happened to her nose. But, we obviously all saw a lot of blood. That poor kid has broken her nose I think every single year she’s been at Iowa. But, she’s a warrior, she’s a leader, she’s the heart and soul of our team,” Bluder said.

Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark likewise applauded Martin’s resiliency and how the Edwardsville, Ill, native encapsulates what it means to be a Hawkeye.

“Well, poor Kate has gone quite a while without breaking her nose and having blood gush out of it. And then, in one of her last career games, she’s on the floor and she has hurt her nose again. I don’t know if it’s broken or not, but I think Kate’s just toughness, resiliency and leadership is the biggest thing. You see it, Kate’s a pro player. You see her game, she’s hitting fadeaway jump shots, she’s going at people.

“The way she took over at the end of the fourth, she came up with, I think, six straight points for us. I’m just so proud of her. She’s worked so hard over the course of this offseason. She knew she was going to be a focal point for us on offense, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s had a long career. All she’s ever dreamed of is being an Iowa Hawkeye, and she embodies that every single day,” Clark said.

With one more performance like what Martin authored against UConn, Iowa just might be cutting down the nets in Cleveland as the national champion.

Iowa will battle South Carolina for the national championship at 2 p.m. CT on ABC from inside Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

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Women’s NCAA Championship Game: Iowa vs. South Carolina odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Iowa vs. South Carolina odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes (34-4) and South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) meet Sunday in the National Championship Game of the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is slated for 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Iowa vs. South Carolina odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

It will be a rematch of a 2023 semifinal as a pair of No. 1 seeds clash in Cleveland.

Iowa advanced after a 71-69 win against No. 3 seed UConn Friday. Things got off to a slow start, but the Hawkeyes came on late. However, there was a controversial offensive foul on the Huskies with 3.9 seconds left with them trailing 70-69. Iowa got the ball back and it hung on for the win, although a late G Caitlin Clark missed free throw helped UConn grab the cover as a 2.5-point underdog.

The Hawkeyes shot just 45.8% (27-of-59) from the field, and just 28.0% (7-of-25) from behind the 3-point line, while turning it over 16 times. Iowa finished with a 37-to-29 rebounding margin as G Sydney Affolter, Clark and G Kate Martin combined for 24 of those boards. Meanwhile, it was F Hannah Stuelke who led the team with 23 points as Clark scored 21 points while struggling from behind the 3-point line (3-for-11).

Iowa has managed a 2-3 against the spread (ATS) mark in its 5 NCAA Tournament games, while the Under holds a slight 3-2 edge.

South Carolina rolled to a 78-59 semifinal win over 11th-seeded NC State Friday. The Gamecocks actually led just 32-31 at halftime, but the Gamecocks used a 29-6 run in the 3rd quarter to pull away for the win and cover as 11.5-point favorites, while the Under (139.5) hung on.

The Gamecocks were led by C Kamilla Cardoso, who went for a game-high 22 points with 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots, while shooting an efficient 10-of-12 from the field. G Raven Johnson chipped in with 13 points, while G Te-Hina Paopao ended up with 10 points and a team-best 6 assists.

Like Iowa, South Carolina is 2-3 ATS in the Tournament, while the Under is 4-1 in the 5 outings.

South Carolina is No. 1 and Iowa is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

Iowa vs. South Carolina odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook’s; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:08 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Iowa +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | South Carolina -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: Iowa +6.5 (-110) | South Carolina -6.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Iowa vs. South Carolina and predictions

Prediction

South Carolina 81, Iowa 76

Moneyline

South Carolina (-275) will cost 2.75 times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough reward.

The unbeaten Gamecocks should get the job done in this revenge game after being bounced by the Hawkeyes last season in the Final Four, but I’m not willing and can’t suggest backing a -275 favorite in any sport.

However, expect Iowa (+220) to put up a good fight. This should be an epic cap for one of the most memorable seasons in women’s basketball history.

AVOID a moneyline play unless you’re willing to take a chance with Clark and the Hawkeyes.

Against the spread

IOWA +6.5 (-110) is worth backing, catching more than 3 buckets. Clark and Co. will be a tremendous test for unbeaten South Carolina.

Iowa stunned South Carolina last season 77-73 in the Final Four in Dallas, snapping a 42-game win streak for the Gamecocks. Clark scored 41 points to set a Final Four record, and you can bet she’ll be front and center for the Hawkeyes Sunday, especially after an ugly shooting performance in the semifinal against UConn.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Over/Under

UNDER 159.5 (-110) is the lean in this title game.

The Under has cashed in 4 of 5 NCAA Tournament games for South Carolina, while cashing in 3 of 5 outings for Iowa. The total almost went low in the UConn game, too, but a late free throw by Clark flipped the total in favor of the Over by a half-point.

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Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
College Sports Wire: Men’s hoops / Women’s hoops / High School

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March Madness: Final Four strategy for the $2.5K USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool

Win $2.5K in the Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool: Final Four pick and prediction.

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The 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament is on to the Final Four, starting Friday from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Only 88 entries in USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest remain out of the 3,754 who signed up.

The semifinals are Friday on ESPN with the winners facing off in Sunday’s championship at 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).

NC State (31-6) meets tournament favorite South Carolina (36-0) in the early-window game at 7 p.m. ET. The nightcap will feature UConn (33-5) and G Paige Bueckers against Iowa (33-4) and G Caitlin Clark at an approximate tip time of 9 p.m. ET.

Monday night was one for the ages, as all eyes were on women’s basketball, especially for the battle between LSU and Iowa. Clark was on another plane, draining 9 3-pointers in an amazing shooting performance, as she continues to re-write the record books. Clark ended up with 41 points in 40 minutes, while also doling out 12 assists with 7 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot as the Hawkeyes eliminated the defending champion Tigers 94-87.

Clark and the Hawkeyes will have their hands full with Bueckers and the Huskies, who showed freshman phenom G Juju Watkins and USC, the No. 1 seed in their region, the door in an exciting Elite 8 matchup.

As for the USA TODAY’s Women’s NCAA Tournament Survivor Pool contest, I made 3 correct picks in the 1st round for 12 points but stumbled in the 2nd round and was eliminated. No. 4 seed Indiana won for me, but my other pick of 4th-seeded Kansas State lost to 5th-seeded Colorado.

Despite the loss, I still offered picks for the Sweet 16, hoping to assist you on your chase for the $2.5K 1st-place prize. Only having to make 1 pick this round, I rebounded with LSU (3 points) upsetting UCLA Saturday in a 78-69 thriller. For what it’s worth, I won with UConn (3 points) in the Elite 8 against USC.

As an employee, I wasn’t eligible to win this contest, but there’s no rule against me helping you.

A rules reminder: Remaining entries are required to pick 1 team in the Final Four and then the National Championship Game winner — if you still have an eligible team to select.

Points are earned equal to your winning teams’ seeds.

Here is my strategy of which team to pick for the Final Four.

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Final Four pick

PICK 1: IOWA HAWKEYES (33-4)

Who they play: UConn Huskies (33-5)

When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

I’ve already picked NC State and UConn in this Tournament, so I am left with just 2 top seeds. There just aren’t a lot of points available in the Final Four. If you need points, you might want to roll the dice on a No. 3 seed if you haven’t picked that team yet.

Iowa-UConn is going to be a fun game. Clark vs. Bueckers will get all of the headlines, but here’s UConn coach Geno Auriemma leading another team to the precipice of a national title, while the Hawkeyes are trying to get back to the championship game — they lost to LSU in the title game a year ago.

UConn was impressive against USC, shooting 48.3% (28-of-58) from the field, including 46.7% (7-of-15) from behind the 3-point line in an 80-73 victory.

If there is an Achilles’ heel, the Huskies managed to go just 63.0% (17-of-27) from the free-throw line, and that simply won’t do in a close game. Plus, UConn was minus-2 in the turnover department, but made up for it by outrebounding USC 42-41, while dishing out 7 more assists to improve to assist-to-turnover ratio.

Along with Clark scoring 41 against LSU, the Hawkeyes were 46.4% (32-of-69) from the field, hitting 41.9% (13-of-31) from behind the 3-point line. G Sydney Affolter hit a pair of triples, and ended up with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while G Kate Martin was good for 21 points and 6 rebounds with 2 steals and a perfect 4-of-4 night from the free-throw line.

Friday against UConn won’t be easy for Iowa, but the Hawkeyes should get back to the title game, setting up a potential classic against South Carolina — as long as the Gamecocks remain undefeated and push past upstart NC State.

Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin /
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Iowa stars ‘grateful’ for Hawkeye fans ahead of final Carver home game

One last time in Carver. Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin shared why they’re “grateful” to have played at Iowa.

Ahead of their final home game inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa stars Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin met with the media to preview their date in the second round of the NCAA Tournament versus No. 8 seed West Virginia.

Iowa (30-4, 15-3 Big Ten) will look to advance to its 10th Sweet 16 in program history as it tangles with West Virginia (25-7, 12-6 Big 12). In order to get to that destination, the Hawkeyes will need to navigate through what has the possibility to be an emotional night.

Senior guard Caitlin Clark, graduate guard Kate Martin and fifth-year guard Gabbie Marshall have combined to play in 453 games and have started a collective 400 games. That trio has Iowa as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history and looking to advance to the Final Four in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Hawkeye history.

While it will be a charged up, emotional crowd tonight inside of Carver, Clark and Martin are trying to focus solely on what it will take to win the game rather than the fact it’s their final game inside a venue that they’ve helped turn into the epicenter of women’s college basketball.

“Oh, geez, why did you say that? No, I’m just kidding. Yeah, it’s definitely bittersweet. I feel really grateful to have extended my time into six years and I’ve gotten to play a lot of games out here on this court, and I feel really grateful for that.

“So, just staying in the moment. And we can deal with that after the game. But first, we’re obviously focused on getting a victory tomorrow and just enjoying every single moment with our teammates, trying to have fun out there and smile a lot and just play some basketball. Yeah, I don’t think it will hit me until the season’s really over. But I feel lucky that we’ve gotten two extra home games on our home court here,” Martin said.

Clark shared those same sentiments, but also touched on what an advantage the crowd will be for Iowa if they can make it that way.

“Yeah, what she said. I would echo all that. I think the biggest thing is just being grateful. How lucky are we that we get to play two March Madness games on our home court in front of our fans and never letting that opportunity pass us by?

“Like Kate said, it’s all business. We’re going to be locked in. I don’t think any of us five seniors are going to be thinking, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is our last game.’ I think the environment is too competitive. You’re wanting to win so hard that’s not really what you’re focused on. Like she said, I feel that’s something that will hit you either after the game or once the season ends. I think more than anything, we need to use the crowd to our advantage. Having 15,000 people that want to cheer for you, that’s huge,” Clark said.

Iowa tips off against West Virginia tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

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Trio of Hawkeyes in Clark, Martin, and Stuelke named to All-Big Ten teams

Three Iowa Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, and Hannah Stuelke, have been named to the All-Big Ten teams.

The Iowa Hawkeyes relied on contributions from all over the court this season on their way to another outstanding regular season. Caitlin Clark, the recently announced Big Ten Player of the Year, did her thing, but without her supporting cast, who knows if this magical season would have ever been possible.

Clark was named as a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten player this year. Her 2023-24 regular season saw her average 32.3 points, 8.7 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. She shot 46.5% from the field and 39.3% from three.

Kate Martin was named as a member of the Second Team All-Big Ten team. Iowa’s heart and soul averaged 13 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Martin shot an outstanding 52.2% from the field and often did the tough, gritty things that helped Iowa get extra possessions or shut down opponents. She was also named the winner of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Last, but most certainly not least is Hannah Stuelke. She was named a member of the Second Team All-Big Ten team this year. Stuelke so immense growth in her second year as she averaged 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and converted 64.4% of her shots from the field. Stuelke’s year featured a 47-point outburst in February where she shot 17-20 from the field.

The three starters each had their moments this year for Iowa and are going to be leaned on heavily as the Big Ten Tournament gets underway. That will be a tune up as they look to defend last year’s Big Ten Tournament title as well as get ready for the NCAA Tournament.

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Caitlin Clark once again showed why she is an elite player in performance at Rutgers

Rutgers women’s basketball lost to Iowa and Caitlin Clark on Friday night.

In the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 103-69 win over Rutgers on Friday night, Caitlin Clark continued to show why she is one of the best players in women’s college basketball.

The Des Moines native scored 29 points and added 10 rebounds to her resume. Due to her play, the Hawkeyes were able to build a big lead that Rutgers could not overcome. In the first half, the Hawkeyes outscored Rutgers 55-30. Clark also got some help from Kate Martin, who scored 17 points.

While Rutgers could not stop Iowa’s offense, there were still a few bright spots. For the third straight game, Mya Petticord scored at least 12 points. Chyna Cornwell also made an impact with 12 points of her own. On a night when Rutgers was without their leading scorer, Kaylene Smikle, others stepped up.

 

Although the Hawkeyes were favored coming into this game, they took advantage of Rutgers mistakes. Iowa scored 18 points off turnovers and recorded 58 points in the paint. Their ability to dominate the boards made it hard for Rutgers to mount a comeback.

After Friday’s loss, the Scarlet Knights are 0-4 in conference play this season, the worst record in the Big Ten. They will look to get back on track against Ohio State next Wednesday.