Nov 9, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks to pass against Virginia Tech Hokies guard Carleigh Wenzel (1) during the first half at Spectrum Center. (Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports)
Hawkeyes Make Case for No. 1 Ranking
The Iowa Women's Basketball team gave AP Top 25 voters something to think about Thursday night in Charlotte. The third-ranked Hawkeyes topped No. 8 Virginia Tech, 80-76, at Spectrum Center in the Ally Tipoff.
“This was a great early season win," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder told hawkeyesports.com. "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.”
This week's No. 1 team, LSU, lost by 14 to No. 20 Colorado Monday night in Las Vegas. Iowa fell to LSU in last season's national championship game.
Second-ranked Connecticut cruised against Dayton in its season-opener. The Huskies were scheduled for a Sunday match at North Carolina State, which garnered the second-most votes outside the Top 25 last week.
The Hawkeyes will own the most impressive win to date among this week's Top 3. They can enhance that resume with a victory at rival Northern Iowa this Sunday.
If Iowa hops over LSU and UConn, it would be the program's first time in that position since being ranked No. 1 from Jan. 4-Feb. 22, 1988. That is the only time the Hawkeyes have been on top.
Iowa made its case Thursday, showing grit in defeating the Hokies. The lead changed hands 11 times and there were five ties. The Hawkeyes built double-digit leads in each half only to see them evaporate, but they responded every time.
Caitlin Clark proved to be her dominant self in the matchup, hitting clutch shots and frustrating the Virginia Tech defense. The All-American finished with 44 points and drew an amazing 16 fouls on the Hokies. She hit 13 of 17 from the foul line, and added eight rebounds and six assists.
Hannan Stuelke (12) and Kate Martin (10) also scored in double figures for the winners. Iowa junior Sydney Affolter came off the bench to pull down a career-best 14 rebounds.
NOTES
- Since the start of '20-21, Iowa leads the nation scoring 80+ points in 79 games.
-It was the fifth time Clark registered 40+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. She recorded 25+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds for the 43rd time.
- 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.
- Clark has hit a 3-point basket in 60 consecutive games, which is an NCAA-best.
- It was Molly Davis’ third career start for the Hawkeyes.
-The Hawkeyes held a 21-0 advantage on fast-break points and outscored Virginia Tech, 42-20, in the paint. Clark helped out there by driving to the basket.
