There aren’t many adjectives that exist to describe what the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team did today. The shooting, the passing, the defense. They put it all together in their biggest game of the season.
Iowa didn’t just beat No. 14 Ohio State, but more so put on a masterclass as they dismantled them 105-72 on their way to a repeat Big Ten Tournament championship. Everything went right for the Hawkeyes (26-6, 15-3 Big Ten) and it came together when it mattered the most.
Caitlin Clark was simply magical in this game against the Buckeyes. The 6-foot superstar from West Des Moines registered her 10th career triple-double, pouring in 30 points on 5-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Clark added a wacky 17 assists and 10 rebounds.
Star big Monika Czinano joined Clark with a big day that featured 26 points on a near-perfect 11-of-12 shooting day. Kate Martin added 13 points and Sydney Affolter rounded out the Hawkeyes’ double-figure scorers with 11.
The game was effectively over at halftime. Iowa led 61-24 at the break. The Hawkeyes shot 72.4% from the floor and 62.5% from 3-point range in the first half. Clark and Czinano combined for 40 in the first half.
Meanwhile, Ohio State was limited to 25% shooting and just 13.3% from 3-point distance. In other words, it was basically a perfect first half for the Hawks.
From there, Iowa rolled its way to triple digits and what wound up being a record amount of points scored in the Big Ten Tournament championship game’s history.
What makes this win even more impressive is that the Hawkeyes have a real, credible, and strong argument for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They beat No. 6 Maryland, handled Ohio State who took down No. 2 Indiana and are once again crowned as Big Ten champs. Selection Sunday on March 12 will tell us how high the Hawkeyes are seeded.
The Hawkeyes have also won 15 of their past 17. Their only losses came against the aforementioned perceived No. 2 seeds or better squads in Indiana and Maryland.
With some time before the NCAA Tournament, Iowa will enjoy this one as they rightfully should before turning the page. To go with the championship feeling, here are the best social media reactions regarding the Hawkeyes’ repeat championship.
It's time.
The stage is set. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/kDHawpfWvN
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
Soaking it in
Our Circle. Our Family. 💛#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/4ckxSvg61U
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
Dream B1G
Check out this sign that little Andy made pic.twitter.com/mwhbeDUGbQ
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) March 5, 2023
Time to go get it
B1G Life. B1G Stage. B1G Game. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/sLhaWfnLjT
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
Gabbie Buckets gets things going!
Gabbie Marshall check.
Yeah, she's still on fire. 3-0.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) March 5, 2023
Let's get loud 🗣️🗣️@GabbieMarshall x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/Cd5ZiRyt3G
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
Caitlin Clark wastes no time getting going
The Caitlin Clark show off to a rousing start, she's got 11 points and the Hawks have made their last 7 FGAs to lead, 20-7.
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) March 5, 2023
Caitlin Clark. Pure. pic.twitter.com/1TtMpppOFr
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) March 5, 2023
Czinano making it look easy
B1G MON 😤 @Mczinano x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/6eaSKLuhPA
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
ESPN does not care
Ruthless by ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oDT15N144g
— Go Iowa Awesome (@IowaAwesome) March 5, 2023
Can the Hawks duplicate that 2017 football score?!?
Iowa 53-Ohio State 22.
It might actually happen
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) March 5, 2023
Never
When does the mercy rule kick in
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 5, 2023
Unreal half of basketball
HALFTIME:
Ohio State 24
Iowa: A lot (61)A THIRTY-SEVEN point halftime lead for the Hawkeyes
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) March 5, 2023
Clark & Czinano versus anyone
In one of the most dominant halves I've ever seen from the Hawkeyes, Iowa leads Ohio State, 61-24.
In other words, Clark and Czinano lead the Buckeyes, 40-24.
But, playing by herself, Clark would be trailing the Buckeyes by one, 24-23.
— chloe peterson (@chloepeterson67) March 5, 2023
In front of a record audience
A Big Ten Tournament record has been set: 9,505 fans here at the Target Center on a Sunday to watch Iowa's current rout of Ohio State.
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) March 5, 2023
Those halftime numbers!
All of us looking at @CaitlinClark22's half time stats:
23 points (7-11, 4-7)
9 assists
5 rebounds #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/RxtuDj6BxO— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
Just having fun with it
Add a little 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚 @CaitlinClark22 x @Mczinano pic.twitter.com/Bqbjy3YxNX
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
TRIPLE. DOUBLE.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 👑
30 points. 17 assists. 10 rebounds. @CaitlinClark22 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/5OwCbN5z8H
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 5, 2023
And she was the first with that feat
First player to score a triple-double in a #B1GWBBT Championship Game: Caitlin Clark. @CaitlinClark22 x @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/7u5YgH7v20
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 5, 2023
Love this team
I literally love the Iowa women’s basketball team so much my heart is overflowing
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 6, 2023
All-time performance
Furthermore, Clark is the first player in Division I history to post a line of at least 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds.
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) March 5, 2023
Strong case for a No. 1 seed
100 POINTS. B1G Championship.
= 1 Seed. No question.
— Megan Gustafson (@GustafsonMeg10) March 5, 2023
1 seed or we riot
Give the hawks a one seed or else
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) March 5, 2023
Love for the bench
Caitlin Clark dominated, but Iowa's bench and role players were awesome.
Gabbie Marshall: 9 points
Sydney Affolter: 11 points, 3 rebounds
Kate Martin: 13 points.— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) March 5, 2023
Caitlin Clark range. Always silly.
𝑫𝑬𝑬𝑬𝑬𝑷 3-pointer from @CaitlinClark22 ‼️#NCAAWBB x 🎥 ESPN / @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/X6fyojJ3PM
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 5, 2023
Caitlin Clark has 'Clones fans salty
I love how mad Caitlin Clark makes some Iowa State fans.
It’s good for the CyHawk rivalry and more importantly for women’s hoops.
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 6, 2023
NPOY
30 + 10 + 17 + 💍
= NPOY @CaitlinClark22
— Megan Gustafson (@GustafsonMeg10) March 6, 2023
Caitlin Clark has her 10th career triple-double.
28 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists in a Championship game.
Player of the Year.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) March 5, 2023
Mood
Iowa fans right now pic.twitter.com/QHIOTiHLTS
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 6, 2023
BACK-TO-BACK BIG TEN CHAMPS
𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐬 💍#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/WNAN5Rl75y
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 6, 2023
Those beautiful final seconds
BACK TO BACK ‼️@IowaWBB are the #B1GWBBT Champions❗🏆 pic.twitter.com/E6AHUie9Gp
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 6, 2023
Rings No. 5
Back-to-back.
For the 5th time in school history, @iowawbb are Big Ten Tournament Champions! Go Hawks 🐤 pic.twitter.com/yDXmKaDYol
— University of Iowa (@uiowa) March 6, 2023
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