Iowa Women’s Basketball Falls to Ohio State in Overtime Thriller

In a heart-stopping Big Ten showdown, the No. 2-ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 100-92 overtime loss to No. 18 Ohio State on Sunday afternoon at a sold-out Value City Arena. The Hawkeyes, who entered the game with an impressive 18-1 record, dropped to 18-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play.

Caitlin Clark’s Stellar Performance

Senior guard Caitlin Clark once again showcased her exceptional scoring prowess, leading all scorers with a season-high 45 points, just one point shy of her career high of 46 points set against Michigan. The Des Moines, Iowa, native also contributed seven assists, blocked a shot, and recorded two steals. Clark’s remarkable performance marked her 11th career game with 40 or more points, including three such games this season.

Molly Davis’ Contributions

Fifth-year guard Molly Davis provided valuable support to Clark, scoring 14 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting. Davis also dished out a game-high eight assists while committing only one turnover. Her impressive performance highlighted her ability to create scoring opportunities for her teammates and contribute to the team’s overall offensive flow.

Hannah Stuelke’s Double-Digit Scoring

Sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke joined Clark and Davis in double-digit scoring, contributing 10 points and seven rebounds. Stuelke’s presence in the paint provided a physical presence and helped the Hawkeyes secure rebounds and create second-chance scoring opportunities. However, her impact was limited in overtime as she was forced to sit out due to foul trouble.

First Half Dominance and Ohio State’s Comeback

Iowa displayed impressive offensive efficiency in the first half, shooting a remarkable 55.6% from the field. The Hawkeyes’ ball movement and crisp passing resulted in 11 assists on their 15 made shots. Davis played a crucial role in orchestrating the offense, contributing seven points and three assists in the first half. At the end of the second quarter, Iowa held a narrow 45-43 lead.

The Hawkeyes maintained their lead for most of the second half, but Ohio State displayed resilience and mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes, led by Cotie McMahon’s 33 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, forced the game into overtime with the score tied at 83.

Postgame Notes and Notable Achievements

• Caitlin Clark’s 45-point performance marked her 11th career game with 40 or more points, further solidifying her status as a National Player of the Year candidate.
• Clark’s remarkable scoring prowess extended her record to 48 career games with 30 or more points, the most in men’s or women’s college basketball history over the last 25 seasons.
• Iowa’s road record improved to 14-5 in its last 19 away games, demonstrating the team’s ability to perform well in hostile environments.
• The Hawkeyes’ presence at Value City Arena contributed to a sellout crowd of 18,809 fans, significantly exceeding Ohio State’s average home attendance of 5,668.
• Iowa’s impact on attendance extends beyond this game, as the team has either assisted in selling out or broken attendance records in 29 of 32 venues this season.
• Molly Davis’ double-digit scoring performance marked her fourth such game this season, showcasing her ability to contribute offensively alongside Clark.
• Davis joined Clark as the second Hawkeye this season to record seven or more assists, highlighting the team’s depth of playmaking ability.
• Clark’s scoring consistency remained impressive, as she has scored 20 or more points in 105 of her 120 career games, the most in program history.
• Iowa’s offensive dominance continued, as the team has scored 80 or more points on 93 occasions since the 2020-21 season, the best mark nationally.
• The Hawkeyes have reached the 80-point mark in 16 contests this year, demonstrating their ability to generate high-scoring outputs.
• Since the 2020-21 season, Iowa leads the country in games with 90 or more points, with an impressive tally of 48 such games.
• Clark maintained her remarkable streak of making at least one 3-point basket in 78 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NCAA.
• Clark’s all-around contributions have placed her in elite company, as she is the first Division-I player to record 3,300+ points, 900+ assists, and 800+ rebounds in a career.
• Iowa’s impressive run in the AP Top 5 continued, as the team extended its streak to 12 consecutive weeks, the longest active streak among all ranked teams.
• Despite Clark’s impressive scoring performances, Iowa’s record when she scores 40 or more points stands at 7-4, indicating that team success requires a collective effort.

Upcoming Schedule

The second-ranked Hawkeyes will return home to face Nebraska on Jan. 27. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. (CT) inside a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The contest will be televised on BTN and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the Hawkeyes’ pursuit of Big Ten glory as they strive to extend their dominance in women’s college basketball.