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Caitlin Clark guides Iowa to dominant victory against Holy Cross in March Madness opening game
  • March Madness 2024
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    Caitlin Clark guides Iowa to dominant victory against Holy Cross in March Madness opening game

    IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Caitlin Clark struggled to make shots early, but finished with 27 points and 10 assists as Iowa defeated Holy Cross 91-65 in a women’s NCAA tournament first-round game Saturday.

    Kate Martin also had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawkeyes (30-4), the top seed in the Albany 2 Regional. Iowa advanced to Monday’s second round to face either eighth seed West Virginia or ninth seed Princeton.

    Clark, a unanimous Associated Press All-American selection, was just 8 of 19 from the field, 3 of 9 in 3-pointers, showing her frustration with missed shots multiple times during the game.

    She was constantly complaining to officials and at one point cameras caught her dad Brent telling her to stop.

    “I should probably smile more. I’m a competitor,” said Clark, who even headbutted the basketball during the game in frustration. “I love this game. I’m a perfectionist.”

    Clark finished with her 65th career double-double, and added eight rebounds.

    She got off to a slow start and didn’t make her first field goal until 22 seconds were left in the first quarter. She committed five turnovers in the first eight minutes.

    Iowa had a similar start. The Hawkeyes had a 10-0 run midway through the first quarter that didn’t bother the Crusaders, who were within 23-21 at the end of the quarter.

    The Hawkeyes then outscored Holy Cross 25-9 in the second quarter, holding the Crusaders to just 1 of 12 shooting. Clark finally got her first 3-pointer with 3:26 left in the first half, shaking her head and rolling her eyes after making the shot.

    Holy Cross (21-13) made 12 3-pointers in Thursday’s 72-45 First Four win over UT-Martin, but were just 7 of 34 in 3-pointers in this game, with only three in the second half. The Crusaders, who missed their first 10 shots of the fourth quarter, shot just 32.4% from the field.

    Addison O’Grady had 14 points and Gabbie Marshall had 11 for the Hawkeyes. Iowa had a 50-37 rebounding edge despite starting forward Hannah Stuelke, the team’s second leading rebounder, playing just 10 minutes.

    Bronagh Power-Cassidy had 19 points for Holy Cross. Janelle Allen had 18.

    UP NEXT

    Iowa: Second round on Monday against either West Virginia or Princeton.

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    In a highly anticipated matchup in the opening round of the NCAA March Madness tournament, Caitlin Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a dominant victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders. The standout sophomore guard put on a show for fans and scouts alike, showcasing her elite scoring ability and playmaking skills.

    From the opening tip-off, Clark set the tone for the game, scoring at will and dishing out assists to her teammates. Her dynamic offensive game was on full display as she effortlessly drove to the basket, knocked down three-pointers, and found open teammates for easy buckets. Holy Cross simply had no answer for Clark’s offensive prowess, as she finished the game with a game-high 30 points and 10 assists.

    But Clark’s impact wasn’t limited to just scoring. The talented guard also made her presence felt on the defensive end, recording multiple steals and disrupting Holy Cross’ offensive flow. Her energy and intensity on both ends of the court lifted her teammates and propelled the Hawkeyes to a commanding lead that they never relinquished.

    In addition to Clark’s standout performance, Iowa also received strong contributions from their supporting cast. Forward Monika Czinano provided a solid inside presence, finishing with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Kate Martin added 12 points and played tough defense throughout the game.

    The victory over Holy Cross was a statement win for Iowa, as they proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the tournament. With Caitlin Clark leading the way, the Hawkeyes have the potential to make a deep run and compete with the best teams in the country.

    As March Madness continues, all eyes will be on Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes as they look to build on their impressive opening game performance and advance further in the tournament. Fans can expect more electrifying plays and clutch performances from Clark as she looks to guide her team to success on college basketball’s biggest stage.