The Iowa Hawkeyes hosted the Penn State Lady Lions and looked to continue their winning streak. This was a huge test for them as Penn State plays at a fast pace not to mention they average the second most points in the conference (Iowa is first). Penn State looked to get their first win over Iowa since 2017.
Not only is this a game between two of the best offenses in the conference, but this is another game where Caitlin Clark puts on a show as she inches closer to becoming the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader. She is 66 points away coming into the game.
Game Recap
One of the things Caitlin Clark mentioned in the pregame when asked about what the team needed to do to beat Penn State was to outpace them. The game was back and forth in the first quarter, but a couple of missed shots and steals allowed Penn State to take control of the game.
Clark only scored five points in the quarter and picked up two fouls, which was also huge for Penn State. The Lady Lions ended the quarter on an 8-1 run to lead by one. Because they attempted 14 threes in the first half and only made five, the game managed to stay close.
Iowa got off to a better start in the second quarter, going on a 7-0 run to retake the lead. Clark had a much better quarter as well, scoring 16 points along with four assists. She displayed some frustration throughout the half due to some of her shots not falling along with the turnovers. Nonetheless, she led all scorers with 21 points.
Penn State continued to punish the Hawkeyes with the three-pointers, but they could not stop them in the paint. Iowa ended the first half on a 12-2 run to lead by 11. Penn State only made nine threes and committed 12 fouls, which was another reason why Iowa was able to go up by double digits.
The Hawkeyes completely took over the game in the second half and never looked back. The Lady Lions kept pushing through and cutting the lead, but they could not stop Iowa in the paint, getting outscored 30-56.
Caitlin Clark finished with 27 points and led her team with 15 assists (three shy of her career-high), but it was Hannah Stuelke who stole the show.
Hannah Stuelke finished with a career-high 47 points (85% FG) and led the team with nine rebounds. 10 of Clark’s assists went to Stuelke. Her 47 points are the second most points scored in a single game in program history. She is the first Hawkeye (not named Caitin Clark) with a 30+ point game since Monika Czinano in 2022.
What’s Next?
After tonight’s game, Caitlin Clark is 39 points away from becoming the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader. She scored 38 points in the game prior, so she could potentially break the record in the next game against Nebraska on Sunday, February 11. The game will start at 1:00 pm EST and air on Big Ten Network.
Her next chance to break the record if it does not happen on Sunday is on Thursday, February 15 against Michigan. The game will start at 8:00 pm EST and air on Big Ten Network.
Photo Courtesy: @IowaWBB
