Another triple-double for Caitlin Clark, and another Iowa women’s basketball rout of Penn State, 95-51

(Note: This report was written in Cedar Rapids)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Trap game? Forget that noise.

Instead, the Iowa Hawkeyes brought their “A” game, and Penn State could do nothing to slow them down.

Caitlin Clark assembled her third triple-double of the season (and the ninth of her career), and sixth-ranked Iowa smoked Penn State for the second time this season, 95-51, in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Sunday afternoon at Bryce Jordan Center.

The Hawkeyes (19-4 overall, 11-1 Big Ten) won their eighth straight game, and their biggest game yet — at No. 4 Indiana, on Thursday — awaits, with first place at stake.

Clark posted 23 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.

“It started on defense for us,” Clark said in a Big Ten Network postgame interview. “Our defense leads to offense. That’s just Iowa basketball.”

Iowa gained separation early, scoring 12 straight points to sprint away from an early 7-7 deadlock, and raced away from there. It was 45-22 at halftime, 77-40 after three quarters.

The margin was 91-46 when Clark departed after securing her 10th rebound with 3:38 remaining.

Monika Czinano added 14 points, hitting 7 of 10 field-goal attempts.

“I think they’re the best point-guard/center duo in the country,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder told BTN afterward. “I really do.”

Kate Martin tacked on 11 points. McKenna Warnock and Hannah Stuelke scored nine apiece.

Clark had half of Iowa’s 28 assists.

“We pass so well. We transition well,” Bluder said. “Our first half was really good.”

Penn State (13-11, 4-9), meanwhile, hit just 27.4 percent from the field. Taniyah Thompson led the Lady Lions with 11 points.

Iowa won the previous matchup with the Lady Lions, 108-67.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com