Caitlin Clark engineers a Breslin breakthrough for No. 10 Iowa in overtime

Hawkeyes survive McKenna Warnock’s injury, Monika Czinano’s foul-out and an intentional foul on Clark at the very end

Jeff Linder

Jan. 18, 2023 8:39 pm

Caitlin Clark

(This story was written in Cedar Rapids)

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- McKenna Warnock was injured. Monika Czinano fouled out.

And yet, somehow, the short-handed Iowa Hawkeyes earned a Breslin breakthrough.

Caitlin Clark scored seven of her game-high 26 points in overtime, leading 10th-ranked Iowa past Michigan State, 84-81, in a Big Ten women’s basketball game Wednesday night at the Breslin Center.

Iowa (15-4 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) moved within a half-game of league-leading Ohio State, and plays at Columbus on Monday.

Clark, who also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out 11 assists, was 6 of 19 from the field.

She came through when the Hawkeyes leaned on her most, then she almost cost them at the very end.

Her jumper with 31 seconds left in overtime gave the Hawkeyes the lead, 80-79. Then she grabbed a steal and nailed a pair of free throws at the 0:17 mark.

Iowa got a stop and had the ball, up 82-79, with 5 seconds left. But Clark was whistled for a dead-ball intentional foul.

Get exclusive Hawkeye insights in your inbox

Hawk off the Press Newsletter Signup

Delivered once a week, each Friday

Please wait...

Thank you for joining us!

You will begin to receive our Weekly Hawkeye updates. Add john.steppe@thegazette.com to your contacts.

Kamaria McDaniel made two free throws to make it 82-81. But the Spartans were called for traveling on the subsequent possession, Molly Davis made two free throws, and Iowa escaped.

The Hawkeyes won at the Breslin Center for just the second time in the last 12 tries. When they faced a 77-73 deficit with 2 1/2 minutes left in overtime, it didn’t look good.

Hannah Stuelke converted a three-point play to get the Hawkeyes within one, then Clark took over from there.

Czinano hit all 11 of her field-goal tries in a 22-point effort. Her basket with 2:32 remaining in regulation gave the Hawkeyes a 66-64 lead.

But she fouled out 24 seconds later as part of a three-point play by Isaline Alexander.

Michigan State pushed the lead to 69-66, but Kate Martin hit two free throws and Clark added two more to put the Hawkeyes ahead.

The Spartans got a free throw from McDaniel to tie the game at 70 with 40 seconds left. Iowa turned it over, then Ekh missed a potential game-winner at the horn.

Warnock was injured on a third-quarter collision and did not return.

McDaniel led Michigan State (10-9, 2-6) with 23 points.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com