The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team is Big Ten Tournament champion for the third consecutive season, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers didn't make things easy on Sunday afternoon.
All eyes were, of course, on Caitlin Clark's performance in another conference championship game, especially considering she was named Most Outstanding Player the past two years.
But Clark got off to a slow start in this game, going 0 for 9 from three-point territory as Nebraska won the first quarter, 23-17, and entered halftime leading 46-35.
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Caitlin Clark (22) of the Iowa Hawkeyes defends Callin Hake (14) of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half during the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Championship on March 10, 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
However, a strong second half from the Hawkeyes got them back into the game. They tied it at the end of the third quarter, and after going back and forth in the fourth quarter, this game needed to go to overtime.
Kate Martin played an important role in overtime, setting up Hannah Stuelke's first basket to make the score 79-77. She then scored a three-pointer to start pulling away.
But again, Nebraska's tireless effort made things difficult for Iowa. Alexis Marokowski and Natalie Potts made layups to cut Iowa's lead to one, and Nebraska regained its lead when Logan Nissley hit a three-pointer, making the score 84-82.
CAITLIN CLARK BREAKS ANOTHER NCAA RECORD, ONE SHE PREVIOUSLY SHARED WITH STEPH CURRY
Martin, however, returned to the court and hit a three-pointer to give the Hawkeyes momentum back. Then Clark appeared.
With 1:11 left in overtime, Nissley again hit a 3-pointer, but Clark answered with one of his own to keep the Hawkeyes' lead at 89-87 with less than a minute left. Clark then forced a turnover with a steal on Jaz Shelley and made two free throws once he was fouled.
After Nissley missed a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, the Hawkeyes continued to play good defense and made late free throws to win 94-89.
Hannah Stuelke (45) of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the basket against Alexis Markowski of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half during the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Championship on March 10, 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Clark finished the game 12 of 29 from the field, although a poor 5 of 17 from beyond the arc, for 34 points, which included 5 of 6 free throws. He also had a double-double with 12 assists and seven rebounds, while also recording three steals on the day.
Stuelke had 25 points and nine rebounds for the Hawkeyes, while Sydney Affolter had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
With the Big Ten title in hand, the Hawkeyes, ranked No. 3 in the country, should receive the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Next week's Sunday pick will solidify their position and their opponent to start March Madness.
Clark will obviously play a big role in the Hawkeyes' return to the national championship game, where they fell last season to the LSU Tigers.
Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts after a three-point basket in the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament Championship on March 10, 2024, at Target Center in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
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She continues to strengthen her all-time scoring record in Division I college basketball, and Iowa will need everything she can give in the coming weeks.
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