Caitlin Clark missed 11 consecutive 3-point attempts to open Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament opener. The 95-62 win over Penn State illustrated how great the Hawkeyes can be even when Clark’s shot isn’t falling.
Sydney Affolter, fresh into the starting lineup, had a career-high 18 points. Taylor McCabe provided a spark off the bench, scoring 12 by knocking down four 3-pointers.
The Hawkeyes proved that they can win — and win big — riding the back of their role players.
“I thought our team had a lot of fun tonight,” Clark said. “I’m just proud of our girls, I mean Sydney played tremendous. Gabbie did, Kate did. If I shot the ball better … we’d probably be in the 100s — so that’s the exciting part.”
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“I thought Taylor went and played extremely well,” head coach Lisa Bluder said. “Whether she’s playing the point guard, off guard — small forward. I mean she was doing anything for us. Syd played tremendous, Kylie went in and did some great things — I’m pleased with what they did.”
“We can’t ask [Caitlin] to have her legs every single night,” Taylor McCabe said. “There has to be other situations where other people can knock down shots. We’re going to see everybody’s best shot from here on out and everybody’s best defense.”
“We all know that Caitlin’s the best player in the country,” Affolter said. “Any time she’s having an off night, it’s important for her to be able to rely on any of us to pick her back up.”
The Hawkeyes will play Michigan on Saturday in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal at 3:30 p.m.
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