The No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-1) cleaned house in the Sunshine State of as they captured the Gulf Coast Showcase championship over the Thanksgiving holiday. On Sunday, they defeated No. 14 Kansas State 77-70 in the tournament’s title game, avenging three-consecutive losses to the Wildcats, the most recent of which came on Nov. 16.
It also marks the first regular-season tournament win for the Hawkeyes since the 2017-18 season.
It was during that game on the 16th that the Hawkeyes looked lethargic and simply didn’t play their game. The defeat also sparked feelings among some that all the hype surrounding them was just that—hype.
But on Sunday, the Hawkeyes proved doubters wrong once again—not simply by playing their game but playing by it with a burst of energy.
When comparing the loss to Kansas State and Sunday’s win over the Wildcats, two factors proved consequential. Not only did Caitlin Clark shoot significantly better from the 3-point line—improving from 2-for-16 and 12.5 percent to 7-for-16 and 43.8 percent—to finish with 32 points along with six assists and five rebounds, but also, in contrast to the contest 10 days prior, she wasn’t alone.
Molly Davis was a significant factor, finishing with 13 points, four assists, and four rebounds as she earned…
