Hawkeyes hold off Huskers in Big Ten semifinals, can make history Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa women’s basketball is one win away from a type of season the program has never experienced before.

The No. 2-seeded Hawkeyes edged No. 6-seeded Nebraska, 83-66, Saturday in the Big Ten semifinals, with the opportunity to make history looming Sunday.

Iowa, which already won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title, has never won the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles in the same year. But the Hawkeyes will have the chance to do exactly that Sunday after Saturday’s win.

“Obviously that would be huge for this program,” star guard Caitlin Clark said.

Iowa’s path to victory Saturday was similar to a night before, as the Hawkeyes again used an extremely efficient third quarter to build a comfortable lead.

After nine first-half lead changes, the Hawkeyes outscored Nebraska, 28-18, and shot 75 percent in the third quarter.

Five different Iowa players scored in the third-quarter scoring spree although Clark and center Monika Czinano accounted for 22 of the 28 points.

“Especially in the third quarter there, got some easy looks,” Clark said. “Credit to my teammates finding me.”

Clark, who had 31 points in each of Iowa’s first two games against Nebraska, had 41 points. Twenty-three of those points came in the second half.

“Caitlin was just Caitlin tonight,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said.

Clark also had 10 rebounds and three assists in the victory.

The nation’s leading scorer overcame a rough first half in which she had 19 points, but also seven turnovers. Three of turnovers happened in a 91-second stretch.

“I think we was a little geeked to start out,” Bluder said. “She’s just a little hyper. ... I definitely have to calm her down before the game and try to slow her down a little bit before the game.”

Clark had only two turnovers in the second half, though.

“Once she settles down, she’s fine,” Bluder said.

Czinano had another efficient day, finishing with 22 points on 9-for-11 shooting.

Through Iowa’s first two games in the tournament, Czinano has combined to score 43 points on 18-for-23 shooting.

Several other role players made key contributions Saturday.

“It doesn’t always show up in points, but it shows up in other ways,” Bluder said. “It was definitely a team victory.”

Guard Kate Martin had a career-high 11 rebounds Saturday after setting season-highs in points and assists Friday.

“Kate Martin's playing the best basketball of her career right now,” Clark said.

While guard Gabbie Marshall only had one point, she helped the Hawkeyes contain Nebraska to 3-for-26 shooting from deep.

“Without Gabbie’s defense, we don’t win this game,” Bluder said.

Nebraska’s Isabelle Bourne led the Huskers with 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting.

Iowa will take on No. 5-seeded Indiana in the Big Ten championship game at 3 p.m. (ESPN2).

The Hawkeyes won both regular-season matchups against Indiana, but the Hoosiers have a healthier Mackenzie Holmes than earlier in the year and will be playing in their home state.

"Obviously we had a double-bye,” Clark said. “Indiana didn’t.”

Clark is certainly not the only one confident going into Iowa’s third game against Indiana in a 16-day span.

“That confetti falling down — it’s just amazing,” Martin said. “So I’m really looking forward to — well, once we get there, that’s the plan.”

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