No. 3 Hawkeyes finally break through at Maryland, 93-85

Note: The report was filed in Cedar Rapids.

You didn’t actually think it would be easy, did you?

Caitlin Clark scored 38 points and No. 3 Iowa weathered a third-quarter Maryland typhoon for a 93-85 Big Ten women’s basketball victory Saturday night at XFINITY Arena.

It was the Hawkeyes’ first win in seven tries at Maryland since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten.

Clark’s moved within 65 points of Kelsey Plum’s all-time NCAA women’s basketball record of 3,527, and Iowa (21-2 overall, 10-1 Big Ten) climbed into sole possession of the Big Ten lead, for a few hours.

The Hawkeyes will be joined at the top by the winner of Sunday’s Indiana-Ohio State showdown.

Iowa appeared on the verge of a blowout victory when it led 58-40 on Molly Davis’ back-door basket with 8:22 left in the third quarter.

Maryland (12-10, 4-7) promptly went on a stunning 23-3 run in the next 4:44. A layup by Jakia Brown-Turner put the Terrapins in front, 63-61.

A 12-3 surge gave the Hawkeyes a 73-66 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Terrapins had one more run to tie it, 76-76. Clark answered with a 3-pointer for the lead, and the Hawkeyes pulled away from there.

Clark added 12 assists.

Davis added 17 points. Kate Martin registered 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Brown-Turner led Maryland, which lost its fourth straight game, with 25 points. Bri McDaniel added 22.

Clark opened the game with a 3-pointer, but the Terrapins followed with the next 11 points, forcing an Iowa timeout.

Needless to say, the Hawkeyes responded.

Aided by a 7-of-9 shooting display from long range, Iowa led 27-19 by the end of the first quarter. Clark was 4 of 5 and had 14 points by the quarter break.

Iowa led 52-38 at intermission.

The Hawkeyes host Penn State at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com