IOWA CITY — Caitlin Clark had 35 points and 10 assists and Kate Martin had a career-high 25 points as No. 2 Iowa responded from its first loss of the season, beating Drake 113-90 on Sunday.
It was the 39th career 30-point game for Clark, passing Kelsey Plum for the most 30-point games by a player in Division I over the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN.
“Coach Bluder challenged us when we came back to practice after the K-State game, and I thought we responded really well,” Clark said.
Following a 65-58 loss against Kansas State on Thursday night, the Hawkeyes (4-1) set a programme mark in the first half with 64 points, shooting 65% in the first quarter and 75% in the first half. Iowa committed 13 turnovers compared to 27 assists.
“I was happy that we performed a little bit better than we did on Thursday night,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder remarked. “We got back out there and played Iowa basketball again, with lots of assists and few turnovers.”
Bluder remarked, “I just felt that we had a lot more energy out there tonight.” “We were more attentive.”
After having one of her worst shooting nights of her collegiate career, Clark—the current national player of the year and unanimous Associated Press preseason All-American—overcame it to make 14 of 22 shots, including 5 of 11 3-pointers. In the game on Thursday, Clark shot just 9 of 32 from the field and 2 of 16 from 3-point range.
“I made a lot of good threes against Kansas State, but I also made a few bad ones,” Clark remarked. “There are nights when they don’t go in sometimes.”
Martin had an even bigger turnaround. She went scoreless in Thursday’s game, but was 10 of 12 from the field in this game.
“I kind of shot it with confidence tonight,” said Martin, whose three 3-pointers were her first of the season. “All week, my teammates had been building me up, all the coaches were building me up. It wasn’t fun not making a three in the first four games. I was glad I could step up tonight and knock them down.”
Bluder remarked, “Kate Martin had a special game for us.” “I love to see her play like she had played in the summer.”
After a setback, Drake coach Allison Pohlman was worried that her team was playing the Hawkeyes at an inopportune moment.
As you put it. She remarked, “I don’t have to say it. Captain Obvious is here. It’s the unnoticed problem in the space.
For the Hawkeyes, Molly Davis scored ten points and Sharon Goodman scored fifteen.
Clark stated, “You don’t judge a team by one game, good or bad.” “We were aware that didn’t accurately reflect who we are.”
For the entire game, the Hawkeyes shot 64%.
With 19 points, Grace Berg topped Drake (3-1). Anna Miller and Katie Dinnebier both had fifteen points. Courtney Becker and Taylor McAulay each had ten.
HUGE IMAGE
Drake: The Bulldogs kept up with the Hawkeyes early on after defeating Iowa State 85–73 last Sunday, but they eventually cooled off as Iowa scored 14 runs to end the first half. Before the Hawkeyes stopped it, Drake was able to get inside shots in the first quarter. Pohlman remarked, “I was proud of our team for coming in and not stopping fighting.”
Iowa: Bluder was unhappy with the lack of post touches in Thursday’s loss, so the Hawkeyes made an effort to get the ball inside, especially in the first half. Iowa had 36 points inside in the first half and 60 for the game after having just 30 for the entire game on Thursday.
Leave a Reply