Caitlin Clark on Hannah Stuelke's 47 points vs. Penn State: 'That's what everybody's been waiting for'

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the conversation around Iowa women’s basketball has centered around Caitlin Clark. The senior guard is closing in on the NCAA’s all-time scoring record, and she got that much closer with 27 points on Thursday against Penn State.

However, Hannah Stuelke became the story as she erupted for 47 points – the second-most in program history – to help the Hawkeyes defeat the Nittany Lions 111-93 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. She put together a night for the ages as she went 17-for-20 from the field and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the charge in the game.

To Clark, it wasn’t surprising at all.

HANNAH. STUELKE. 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 9, 2024

“I think that’s what everybody’s been waiting for,” Clark said on the Big Ten Network broadcast after the game. “She’s had glimpses of being really, really great like that, but we all know how good she is. I’m just proud of her. She works so hard, she’s put in so much time, especially this summer, been dealing with a little bit of a knee injury.

“To come out here and play like that, it’s exactly what we needed. I think she dominated. To see her confidence grow like that and her smile like that, as a teammate, you’re just really happy.”

To Stuelke, it was a credit to the rest of the team for helping set her up for success and allowing her to exploit some favorable matchups.

“I think my teammates just did a really great job of getting me the ball inside,” Stuelke said. “I got a couple mismatches on each play, and they did a great job of working the ball into me.”

Of course, Clark also had a big game, scoring 27 points and dishing out 15 assists in the game. Her connection with Stuelke was on full display, including a conversation late in the game amid her big performance. Her message was simple, and it’s one the entire team has had for Stuelke this year.

“I just said, ‘That’s what you’re capable of every single game,'” Clark said. “I want her to know that, I want her to know how much I believe in her. That goes for our whole team. We pour into Hannah every single day just trying to get her to believe in herself. That’s the most powerful thing. That was showing tonight, so I’m happy for the girl.”

The fact that Iowa has multiple players capable of having big nights – let’s not over look Kate Martin’s 16-point, 16-rebound double-double – makes the Hawkeyes dangers, Clark said. Still, it was Stuelke’s night, and the goal is to continue the momentum.

“I think that’s what makes our team so good. Any night, it could be anybody’s night,” Caitlin Clark said. “I thought Kate played really well, I thought Sydney Affolter gave us great minutes. We’re gonna need balance if we want to go far and reach our goals. Just proud of our group.

“Happy for Hannah. She deserves this. Just got to keep it rolling.”