Caitlin Clark breaks single-season scoring record as Iowa survive scare

Caitlin Clark scored 32 points and No. 1 seed Iowa survived one of their worst offensive performances of the season to beat No. 8 seed West Virginia 64-54 Monday night in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes will play No. 5 seed Colorado in the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday.

Sydney Affolter’s three-point play with 2:03 to play, the Hawkeyes’ only field goal of the fourth quarter, gave Iowa a 55-52 lead. Clark and Hannah Stuelke finished the game with nine free throws to earn the win.

As time expired during the final home game of her college career, Clark, who became the NCAA’s Division I all-time leader this season, circled the court and made a heart-shaped symbol with her hands as the sold-out crowd cheered. Her 32 points gave Clark 1,113 for the season, breaking Kelsey Plum’s previous season record (1,109).

“I think we used our audience,” Clark said of the final stretch. “We gave up a 10-0 run to start the quarter, but this team was never nervous. It speaks to our experience… I wanted to go out on a high note.”

But the victory was not easy. Iowa came into the game leading the nation in scoring at 92.8 points per game, but the Hawkeyes held their lowest point total in a single game this season. Iowa shot just 36.4% from the field. Affolter had 13 points, while Stuelke added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Iowa appeared to have the game in control after an 8-0 run over the final 1:25 of the third quarter gave the Hawkeyes a 48-38 lead. But West Virginia opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game with 5:18 to play, making for a thrilling finish.