Iowa star Caitlin Clark knew what to expect from her opponent Monday night. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the No. 1 Hawkeyes’ round of 32 matchup with No. 8 West Virginia, Clark cited the Mountaineers’ defensive prowess as the first thing that jumped out on tape.
“They’re going to want to turn us over,” Clark said. “They’re one of those teams that really feeds off of turnovers. One turnover can turn into five for a team.”
Yet even the sport’s best player, knowing full well what was coming, can be thrown off by a vaunted press. In the first half, Clark recorded more turnovers (four) than assists (three), making only four of her 11 field goal attempts. Clark and the Hawkeyes, slowed by West Virginia’s physicality and full-court ball pressure (on both makes and misses), scored their fewest first-half points all season (26).
But the challenge of limiting Clark and her teammates is not a 20-minute endeavor. Iowa went on to win 64-54, grinding out a victory in the final home game for Clark and teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. In the third quarter, Clark took advantage of the slightest lapses by her opponent. She made four of her five shots and tallied 13 points. A two-point halftime lead grew to 10 entering the final period.
Though she also tallied…
