Caitlin Clark and No. 4 Iowa women’s basketball are back in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and hold a big lead over Illinois in the fourth quarter.
The Hawkeyes (23-4, 12-3 Big Ten) did not look themselves last time out, losing at No. 16 Indiana 86-69. The defeat put Iowa’s hope for a conference regular-season title in jeopardy as it now sits tied for the No. 2 spot with the Hoosiers.
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End 3: Iowa 74, Illinois 61
Illinois actually won that quarter 27-24. As good as Iowa’s offense has been today, its defense has been inconsistent. Makira Cook has been particularly lethal and has 24 points.
Still, the Hawkeyes remain firmly in control and should win this game. Clark is just three assists away from a triple-double and four starters have 10 or more points.
The bench has been helpful as well with 19 points.
Q3/3:29 Iowa 65, Illinois 52
Clark has notched another double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds).
She needs just four more assists for a triple-double.
After a hot start to the quarter from both teams, the offenses have stalled over the final couple of minutes.
Q3/4:44 Iowa 63, Illinois 52
Clark seemingly regained her shooting stroke during the halftime break. She came out firing in the third quarter and made back-to-back triples. She’s now up to 15 points.
Kylie Feuerbach also continues to be key off the bench and now has a career-high three made triples.
Still, Illinois continues to hang around, making this a closer game scoring-wise than it’s felt all afternoon.
End 2: Iowa 50, Illinois 34
Iowa’s second quarter was more up and down than the first, but the Hawkeyes still are firmly in control and are playing some of their best team offense in several games. The ball movement, in particular, has been stellar as Iowa has six assists on 18 made shots.
Clark (2-for-9 shooting, 1-for-7 from 3) has done everything but shoot well. She has nine points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Molly Davis (12 points) is playing her game game in weeks, and Hannah Stuelke (10 points) has been solid in the paint.
Illinois has struggled to keep with the Hawkeyes but have hung around thanks to its ability to make tough shots.
Q2/6:57 Iowa 40, Illinois 22
Just when it looked like Illinois was settling in and cut its deficit to 10 points, Iowa jumped out to a 10-2 run by taking advantage of its fast break potency.
Molly Davis benefitted from a pair of layups on passes from Clark, and also hit a triple at the top of the key. Kate Martin also made another 3-pointer and is 2-for-2 from deep.
Clark still hasn’t shot much by her standards (2-for-6), but has nine points, six rebounds and three assists.
End 1: Iowa 30, Illinois 18
Head coach Lisa Bluder couldn’t have been much happier with Iowa’s offensive performance that frame.
Six of the eight players who got minutes scored, and not relying on just Clark allowed the offense to get whatever it wanted. Illinois was forced to either pay attention to Clark or risk her having 1-on-1 matchups, and the supporting Hawkeyes took advantage of their opportunities.
Q1/2:40 Iowa 24, Illinois 10
Iowa’s offense is clicking right now with everyone, not just Clark, contributing in positive ways.
Kylie Feuerbach has been a sparkplug off the bench, making both of her 3-point attempts, the second of which forced an Illinois timeout.
Q1/4:54 Iowa 12, Illinois 6
The Hawkeyes have been getting it done on both ends thus far, creating three Illinois turnovers while consistently getting good shots offensively.
Clark just made her first triple and has five points, but she hasn’t been able to create a shot for a teammate just yet.
Q1/6:58 Iowa 9, Illinois 2
Iowa began this game on a 9-0 run, looking much more comfortable and confident than the team did in its last game at Indiana.
Molly Davis ignited the spark early on the defensive end, notching a chase-down block and drawing a charge.
Kate Martin has also come out firing and has five points.
How to watch Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball vs. Illinois
More: How to watch, stream and listen to No. 4 Iowa women’s basketball vs. Illinois today
What to know about Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball vs. Illinois
Who are Illinois women’s basketball’s best players?
- Scoring leader: Makira Cook (14.8 PPG)
- Assists leader: Makira Cook (4.0 APG)
- Rebounding leader: Kendall Bostic (10.0 RPG)
Gus Martin is a Digital Producer/Content Director for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on X at @GusMartin_DMR.
