Behind Caitlin Clark’s 44, Iowa tops Virginia Tech, 80-76

(Note: This story was written in Iowa)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Caitlin Clark scored 44 points, and third-ranked Iowa overcame some cold early shooting to top No. 8 Virginia Tech, 80-76, in the Ally Tipoff women’s basketball game Thursday night at Spectum Arena.

Clark hit the 40-point/five-rebound/five-assist plateau for the fifth time in her career (she finished with eight boards and six assists Thursday).

The Hawkeyes (2-0) won despite a 1-for-16 start from 3-point range. They made five of their last 10.

Clark hit 13 of 31 attempts from the field, including 5 of 16 from long range, and 13 of 17 from the line.

Her 44 points brings her career total to 2,789, which is 15 away from Megan Gustafson’s school record.

Clark is likely to move to the top of the career leader board Sunday, when the Hawkeyes play Northern Iowa (1-0). Tipoff is 2 p.m. at the McLeod Center, Cedar Falls

Hannah Stuelke added 12 points for the Hawkeyes before fouling out. Kate Martin scored 10, Kylie Feuerbach eight.

Molly Davis earned a slot in the starting lineup Thursday, joining Clark, Martin, Stuelke and Gabbie Marshall.

Davis and Marshall were scoreless.

Georgia Amoore led Virginia Tech (1-1) with 31 points.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com