Carver North! Iowa exacted revenge on Maryland, topping the Terps, 89-84, to advance to a third straight Big Ten Tournament title game.
Bring on Ohio State!
Iowa (25-6, 15-3 Big Ten) used a career-high tying seven made 3-pointers from senior guard Gabbie Marshall to pave its path back into the Big Ten Tournament championship game. The Hawkeyes play Ohio State today at 4 p.m. on ESPN with the trophy on the line.
It was Gabbie Buckets that propelled Iowa past No. 6 Maryland, 89-84, and back onto a stage that the Hawkeyes are familiar with.
It’s the third consecutive season Iowa has played for the conference tourney crown. Of course, the Hawkeyes beat Indiana in last season’s title game, 74-67. Monika Czinano was the story that day, pouring in 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting.
In this one, Marshall’s performance with 21 points naturally took center stage. The 5-foot-9 guard from Cincinnati has now connected on an astounding 24 of her past 41 3-point attempts.
“It’s a long season and you’re going to have highs and lows. You’re going to face adversity. But just having the team, the veteran team that we have, we’ve been through it. We’ve been here before. We’re so close off and on the court, and I think that really helps.
“It’s a long game. They’re going to go on runs. We’re going to go on runs. And we just have to stick together. Our circle’s tight, just because we’ve been playing together so long. It helps a lot in March,” Marshall said of the win and her scorching-hot shooting of late.
The rest of Iowa’s starters also finished in double-figure scoring. Caitlin Clark led the way with 22, McKenna Warnock added 21, Monika Czinano scored 15 and Kate Martin had 10 points.
“The first thing I want to talk about is the amazing fans we had here again. I mean, we’re saying it’s Carver North. It’s just amazing how the Hawkeye fans have shown up. I know there’s a lot of people that can’t come. Those that were here made a lot of noise. Those that couldn’t come, we know we’re getting your support from home. We just want to bring people joy. That’s really what this team is all about.
“Today, I love five people in double figures. I thought that Gabbie Marshall, 7-for-13 from three, but over the last nine games she’s shooting 58 percent from three. Nine games. That’s about a third of the season. I’m so proud of her because she started out the season struggling. She kept believing in herself. She kept working hard and getting in that gym.
“I couldn’t be more proud of anybody, just what her effort was in getting back, and this team’s belief in this woman is unbelievable. Gabbie was incredible on both ends of the floor. McKenna, clutch free throws. Caitlin was Caitlin. It just was a really fun game for us, and I love the 24 assists and only 12 turnovers,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said afterwards.
Iowa has its chance to go back-to-back and repeat as Big Ten Tournament champions this evening versus Ohio State. Before all of that excitement, here’s a look back at a terrific win over a great Maryland team.
