Caitlin Clark ignites Iowa women’s basketball comeback at Michigan, just a little too late

Despite Iowa sophomore Caitlin Clark sinking five 3-pointers in the final 6:04, including several from the midcourt logo, No. 21 Iowa couldn’t dig itself out of a big hole and lost to No. 6 Michigan, 98-90, Sunday night at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“We didn’t want it to end in a bad way, why not go out firing?” Clark said. “I felt I played loose in that fourth quarter. I just started launching the ball, obviously.”

Clark finished with a career-high 46 points, including six 3-pointers. She also had 10 assists and four rebounds.

“Caitlin is spectacular,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said. “You’re never out of the game with someone like her on the floor.

“I think she’s the best player in the Big Ten. She’s amazing.”

Michigan (20-2, 11-1 Big Ten) led by 25 points, 66-41, with 3:14 left to play in the third quarter.

In a wild fourth quarter, Iowa (15-6, 9-3) cut that lead down to five points on an Allison O’Grady three-point play with 1:14 to play.

But Michigan made 7-of-10 at the foul line from that point to hold on. Michigan was 24-of-32 at the line overall.

“That’s the sixth-ranked team in the country,” Clark said. “On their home court. And you lose by eight.

“And there’s a lot of things you don’t do very well.”

Michigan won the rebounding battle 44 to 27, and that included 16 offensive boards that led to 23 second-chance points.

"We got killed on the glass,“ Clark said. ”Not only did they get the offensive rebounds, but they scored. ... You can’t allow that and expect to win.“

Naz Hillmon finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds and Laila Phelia had 24 points to pace the Wolverines.

In addition to Clark’s 46, Monika Czinano had 13 points and Kate Martin had 11 points.

Iowa, still missing starters McKenna Warnock (hand) and Gabbie Marshall (arm/shoulder), played with seven. Those two missed the previous game, a win over Wisconsin. Iowa also lost to No. 23 Ohio State on Monday.

“We had three games this week, and that was tough,” Bluder said. “And two of them were on the road.

“You have seven kids that are giving you everything they’ve got.”

Bluder said Marshall was a maybe for the next game, but Warnock was probably a “no.”

“I’m proud of our team,” Bluder said. “We’re down two starters. Our best defensive player.”

Iowa is next in action Wednesday, hosting Minnesota. The Gophers may be out for revenge after the shellacking they took on Jan. 20, a 105-49 Iowa win.

Michigan visits Iowa City on Feb. 27. That 3 p.m. tipoff is on ESPN2 and is the final game of the regular season.