Caitlin Clark's 35 points move her past 3,000, helping No. 4 Iowa escape Iowa State 67-58
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) walks off the court after an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa won 67-58. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
AMES, Iowa — Caitlin Clark scored 35 points and moved past 3,000 overall, but it was her passing that helped fourth-ranked Iowa pull away from rival Iowa State and secure a 67-58 victory Wednesday night.
Clark's performance pushed her career point total to 3,013, making her the 15th NCAA Division I women's player to surpass the 3,000 plateau. She is the first player in men’s or women’s Division 1 to reach at least 3,000 points, 750 rebounds and 750 assists.
“I knew I had the opportunity to do that coming into tonight,” Clark said. “It's cool, especially to do it here. I have a lot of family in attendance. As long as we win. I probably wouldn't be happy with scoring 3,000 points in a loss.”
The Hawkeyes (9-1) were trailing 55-54 midway through the fourth quarter, before Clark made a pair of nifty assists to Kate Martin, who converted them into layups that gave Iowa a 60-56 lead with just over 3 minutes remaining.
“Caitlin just draws so much attention,” said Martin, who finished with 16 points. “All eyes are on her.”
Clark added a layup of her own to extend the margin to 62-56 with about 2 minutes to play.
“Happy to come out of here with a victory,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “They slowed the ball down and did a good job with that, but I thought our defense in the second half was really good.”
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, left, tries to steal the ball from Iowa State guard Arianna Jackson, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
Clark passed 3,000 points with a 3-pointer, her fifth of the game, with 6:11 left in the third quarter. Clark scored all of Iowa’s 14 points in that quarter.
Iowa State (4-4) forced a dozen lead changes and eight ties before succumbing to the Hawkeyes. Audi Crooks led the Cyclones with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“I think coming into this, there were not a whole lot of people who thought we could genuinely win this game,” Crooks said. “I think a lot of people thought we were going to roll over and die and let them do what they wanted to do.”
The Cyclones held Iowa to 34.9% shooting. Clark was 12 of 31 from the floor (38.7%). Iowa State hit just 34.4% of its shots.
Iowa State center Audi Crooks (55) catches a pass in front of Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
It was the fourth time this season Clark has scored 30 or more points. She also contributed nine rebounds and finished with five assists.
“We know Caitlin gets all the attention, as far as defensive attention,” Bluder said. “People don't understand how good (Martin) is and how hard she is to guard.”
Clark scored 12 points in the first quarter, but the Cyclones never faded and continued to show improvement with their young lineup.
“The crowd is packed so it's easy to get overwhelmed,” Crooks said. “But we just have to stay in the moment and do what we need to do.”
BIG PICTURE
Iowa: Clark, who added nine rebounds and five assists, has scored at least 20 points in all 10 games this season. However, the rest of the Hawkeyes struggled. Iowa came into Wednesday's game shooting 52.7% on the season but made just 32.4% in the first half against the Cyclones. Iowa has now won six in a row.
Iowa State: Crooks, Iowa State's top recruit, is emerging as a freshman force. The 6-foot-3 center nearly recorded a double-double in the first half, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
Iowa opens Big Ten play Sunday at Wisconsin.
Iowa State hosts North Dakota State on Sunday.
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