Caitlin Clark, the star player for the No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes, showcased her incredible skills on Sunday as she led her team to a dominant victory over Illinois. After suffering a loss to Indiana in their previous game, Iowa was determined to bounce back, and they did so in a big way.
Clark, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in college basketball, recorded her 16th career triple-double in the game against Illinois. She finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking her fifth triple-double of the season. Her outstanding performance ensured that Iowa would not experience consecutive losses for the first time this season.
Right from the start, Iowa took control of the game, establishing a commanding 30-18 lead in the first quarter. Illinois never posed a serious threat as Iowa continued to extend their lead. In fact, Clark was able to rest for the final minutes of the fourth quarter due to Iowa’s double-digit advantage.
Clark’s remarkable achievements on the court have also propelled her into the NCAA record books. With her 24 points in this game, she now holds the record for the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history. Additionally, she is just 51 points away from breaking the overall scoring record held by LSU legend Pete Maravich.
In a previous game against Michigan, Clark scored a career-high 49 points, surpassing Kelsey Plum as the all-time leading scorer in women’s college basketball. However, Iowa’s momentum was halted by a disappointing loss to No. 14 Indiana, during which Clark struggled with her shooting. She shot just 8 of 26 from the field and scored 24 points.
Fortunately, Clark quickly bounced back from that performance. In the game against Illinois, she only needed 18 shots to reach her 24-point tally. She also showcased her prowess from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 14 three-pointers. Clark’s timely three-pointers in the third quarter halted a 7-0 run by Illinois and helped Iowa extend their lead to 14 points.
It is worth noting that Clark achieved this milestone while Iowa unveiled a new logo on the court, commemorating the spot where she made a deep three-pointer to break Plum’s record. The significance of this moment was not lost on Clark or her teammates.
While Clark undoubtedly stole the show, her teammates also made significant contributions to Iowa’s victory. Hannah Stuelke scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, shooting an impressive 9 of 12 from the field. Molly Davis added 17 points and five assists, while Kate Martin posted 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Despite the loss, all five Illinois starters scored in double figures, with Makira Cook leading the way with 26 points. However, it was Iowa’s offensive clinic that truly stood out. The team shot an impressive 50% from the field and 45.9% from beyond the arc, making 17 of 37 three-point attempts. They also displayed excellent teamwork, assisting on 28 of their 36 made field goals.
With this win, Iowa improves to a record of 24-4 overall and 13-3 in the Big Ten conference. They currently trail No. 2 Ohio State (14-1) in the conference standings with only two games remaining in the regular season. The season finale between Iowa and Ohio State on March 3 promises to be an exciting matchup that could have significant implications for the conference standings.
Caitlin Clark’s incredible performance and her team’s dominant win over Illinois have once again solidified her status as one of the most talented players in college basketball. As she continues to make her mark on the NCAA record books, all eyes will be on her as she leads Iowa into the final stretch of the regular season.