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Nebraska was right on the brink of ending Iowa’s reign as Big Ten Tournament champions, sullying Caitlin Clark’s final appearance in the tournament. But Clark, as usual, had different plans, as the Hawkeyes secured the overtime win, 94-89, in a sold-out Target Center.
Nebraska led 75-67 with 2:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Cornhuskers were primed to take down Iowa for the second time this season. However, as women’s basketball fans have seen over the past three seasons, Iowa is never out of a game.
Trophy szn. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/h4Dog1CPga
— Iowa Women’s Basketball (@IowaWBB) March 10, 2024
Clark drilled a step-back 3-pointer with 2:09 remaining in regulation to bring Iowa within five. Exactly one minute later, Clark drove to the basket, forcing the Cornhusker’s defense to collapse, before dishing out to Kate Martin for the wide-open corner three, cutting the deficit to just two, 77-75.
After a missed jumper by Nebraska’s Logan Nissley, Clark blitzed towards the rim, finishing a layup through contact with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 77 apiece. Nebraska milked the clock so the Huskers could take the last shot of regulation, but missed as time expired.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to an 82-77 lead one minute into overtime, but in a game defined by scoring runs, Nebraska fought back, taking the lead 84-82 with 2:33 remaining behind a 3-pointer from Nissley.
With 1:07 remaining, Nissley buried another 3-pointer, giving the Cornhuskers an 87-86 lead. However, the all-time Division I points leader responded yet again, drilling another step-back 3-pointer to give the Hawkeyes an 89-87 lead with 51 seconds remaining,
Nebraska tried a skip-pass with 40 seconds left looking for an open three, but Clark intercepted it before drawing a foul, sending her to the line for two free throws to put the game away.
The Cornhuskers led 46-35 at halftime, holding Clark to just four points on 2-13 from the field. But Clark exploded in the second half and overtime, scoring 30 on 10-16 shooting.
Iowa’s biggest lead in regulation was just three, while Nebraska led by 13 at one point in the first half. Nebraska’s Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski did everything to hold onto their lead, combining for 39 points and 18 assists, but the Hawkeye’s fast-paced offense proved once again why they are so hard to take down.
Iowa completed its quest for a three-peat, and Clark is headed into her final NCAA tournament a Big Ten Tournament Champion once again.