Nebraska Upsets No. 2 Iowa in Women’s Basketball Thriller
In a thrilling matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Nebraska Cornhuskers pulled off a stunning upset against the No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. The game took place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, and was broadcasted nationally as a celebration of women’s basketball. While spectators were hoping to witness Caitlin Clark set the NCAA women’s career scoring record, they were treated to an unexpected turn of events as Nebraska rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure an 82-79 victory.
The win marked Nebraska’s first triumph over a Top 25 opponent this season and their first victory over Iowa in ten attempts. The excitement was palpable as the crowd erupted into cheers, and a student-led court storming added to the jubilant atmosphere.
Jaz Shelley emerged as the hero for the Cornhuskers, sinking a crucial 3-pointer with just 30 seconds remaining to give Nebraska their first lead of the game. She then sealed the deal by making all four of her free throws, ensuring that the Hawkeyes would not be able to mount a comeback.
Cornhuskers coach Amy Williams expressed her pride in her team’s performance, stating, “On a day like today, I’m just so proud to be the head coach at Nebraska and proud of this team and the way they showed great response throughout the fourth quarter and found a way to win.”
Despite her impressive performance of 31 points, Caitlin Clark was held scoreless for the final 12 and a half minutes of the game. She missed her last six shots, including a crucial 3-pointer just before the buzzer. Disappointed with her team’s inability to execute down the stretch, Clark lamented, “It stinks.”
Clark now stands at 3,520 career points, a mere eight points away from surpassing Kelsey Plum’s record of 3,527 for Washington from 2013-2017. It is highly likely that she will break the record in the upcoming game against Michigan on Thursday, providing fans with another exciting milestone to anticipate.
The game saw Hannah Stuelke’s layup with 9:22 left in the fourth quarter give Iowa their largest lead of the game at 71-57. However, the Hawkeyes were outscored 25-8 in the remaining minutes, allowing Nebraska to stage a remarkable comeback. Jaz Shelley’s clutch 3-pointer from the right corner, with the shot clock winding down, gave the Huskers the lead. Despite Clark’s last-ditch effort with a 3-point attempt that grazed the front of the rim, Shelley’s two free throws with 18.1 seconds left secured the victory for Nebraska.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with an even split between Nebraska and Iowa fans. The Nebraska players took the challenge head-on, fueled by the sea of yellow in the stands. Alexis Markowski of Nebraska remarked, “Husker fans really showed out. We took it as a challenge. We knew we were the underdogs in this situation. We gave it our all and came out on top.”
In terms of strategy, Nebraska made key defensive adjustments to contain Caitlin Clark. They switched Jaz Shelley and two other players to guard her, employing double-teams and even resorting to a box-and-one defense late in the game. These tactics effectively shut down Clark’s scoring opportunities and contributed to Iowa’s downfall.
The postgame news conference took an unexpected turn when Iowa coach Lisa Bluder expressed her frustration with Nebraska players entering the interview room ahead of her team. Bluder’s outburst caused a brief pause in the proceedings as she vented her dissatisfaction. She also voiced her displeasure about the game presentation in the arena, particularly the playing of music during free throws.
Looking ahead, Nebraska’s victory marks a significant milestone for the program, as it was the first women’s basketball sellout in their history. The demand for tickets was so high that some sellers on the secondary market were asking for as much as $2,000 for a seat in the lower bowl. While there were a few unfilled seats in the highest sections of the arena, the overall turnout was impressive.
On the other hand, the loss for Iowa dropped them out of a tie for first place in the Big Ten with Ohio State. Both teams will now prepare for their upcoming games, with Nebraska facing Ohio State on Wednesday and Iowa hosting Michigan on Thursday.
In conclusion, Nebraska’s thrilling upset victory over Iowa provided a captivating display of women’s basketball. The Cornhuskers’ resilience and determination in overcoming a 14-point deficit showcased their potential as a formidable team. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s pursuit of the NCAA women’s career scoring record adds an extra layer of excitement to future games. As the season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing more exhilarating matchups and
