Iowa Women's Basketball earns a statement win over #8 Virginia Tech
For anyone that came into the season saying that the Iowa women’s basketball team was going to take a step back after their Final Four appearance, look out, they aren’t going anywhere. In front of the largest women’s basketball crowd in the history of the state of North Carolina, the third-ranked Hawkeyes and eighth-ranked Hokies delivered a thriller. In the end, it was Lisa Bluder’s squad that came away with an 80-76 victory in Charlotte.
Right out of the gates, it was the Hawkeyes that delivered the first blow. Hannah Stuelke battled foul trouble all night, but scored eight of the first 13 points to help Iowa get out to an early nine-point lead. Virginia Tech closed out the opening quarter on a 14-2 run behind 11 points from point guard Georgia Amoore, including a halfcourt heave at the buzzer.
Midway through the second quarter, it was a 7-1 run that put the Hokies in front 28-21, but the Hawkeyes closed the half strong. on the back of Caitlin Clark. She scored ten of the last 12 points of the half and Iowa went into the locker room with a 33-32 lead. The first half shooting was not great, as Iowa shot just 33.3% from the floor, with Virginia Tech shooting just a touch better at 34.4%.
However, in the second half, the game delivered. Back-to-back baskets from the Hokies, including a second chance layup from Olivia Summiel, put VT up 41-40, but a critical run from Iowa over the next two minutes changed the game. A three-pointer from Caitlin Clark gave Iowa the lead, while Kylie Feuerbach inserted herself into the game with basket, plus a free throw, followed by a three-pointer to all the sudden make it 53-43 Hawkeyes.
Virginia Tech was able to trim the lead to 62-60 early in the fourth quarter after a Cayla King three-pointer, but when it mattered most, the Hawkeyes came through. A 12-2 run that included baskets from Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Sharon Goodman to put Iowa up 74-62 with 4:05 to play. The Hawkeyes held on from there and picked up the 80-76 victory.
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Caitlin Clark finished with 44 points on 13/31 shooting, as well as eight rebounds and six assists. It’s the fifth time in her career that she has gone for 40+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists. Hannah Stuelke added 12 points and four rebounds before she fouled out in the fourth quarter. Kate Martin scored ten points, while Sydney Affolter was huge on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds.
On the Virginia Tech side, Georgia Amoore was fantastic. She finished with 31 points, including seven three-pointers, while Elizabeth Kitley had 16 points and 16 rebounds.
Up Next, the Hawkeyes are on the road to face Northern Iowa at a sold-out McLeod Center on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers defeated Green Bay 78-67 in their season opener. Tipoff is set for 2:00pm CT and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
