Iowa bounces back behind Clark’s 35-point game

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caitlin Clark had 35 points and 10 assists and Kate Martin had a career-high 25 points as No. 2 Iowa responded from its first loss of the season, beating Drake 113-90 on Sunday.

It was the 39th career 30-point game for Clark, passing Kelsey Plum for the most 30-point games by a player in Division I over the past 25 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

“Coach Bluder challenged us when we came back to practice after the K-State game, and I thought we responded really well,” Clark said.

The Hawkeyes (4-1), coming off a 65-58 loss to Kansas State on Thursday night, scored a program-record 64 points in the first half, shooting 75% in the first quarter and 65% in the half. Iowa had 27 assists against 13 turnovers.

“We played a little bit better than we did on Thursday night, which I was thankful for,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “We came out and resumed playing Iowa basketball — high assists, low turnovers.”

Bluder said she felt like the Hawkeyes “didn’t get into a groove” in Thursday’s game.

“I just thought our energy level was a lot better out there tonight,” Bluder said. “We were more focused.”

Clark, the reigning national Player of the Year and a unanimous Associated Press preseason All-American, bounced back from one of the worst shooting nights of her college career, making 14 of 22 shots, including 5 of 11 3-pointers. Clark was just 9-of-32 from the field, 2-of-16 in 3-pointers, in Thursday’s game.

“Most of my 3s I shot [against Kansas State] were good shots, there were a few that weren’t good shots,” Clark said. “Sometimes you have nights when they don’t go in.”

Martin had an even bigger turnaround. She went scoreless in Thursday’s game but was 10-of-12 from the field in this one.

“I kind of shot it with confidence tonight,” said Martin, whose three 3-pointers were her first of the season. “All week, my teammates had been building me up, all the coaches were building me up. It wasn’t fun not making a 3 in the first four games. I was glad I could step up tonight and knock them down.”

“Kate Martin had a special game for us,” Bluder said. “She played like she had played in the summer, and I love to see that.”

Drake coach Allison Pohlman was concerned that her team was catching the Hawkeyes at the wrong time coming off a loss.

“You said it. I don’t have to say it,” she said. “It’s Captain Obvious. It’s the white elephant in the room.”

Sharon Goodman had 15 points and Molly Davis added 10 points for the Hawkeyes.

“You don’t judge a team by one game, good or bad,” Clark said. “We knew that wasn’t a representation of who we are.”

The Hawkeyes shot 64% for the game.

Grace Berg led Drake (3-1) with 19 points. Katie Dinnebier and Anna Miller each had 15 points. Taylor McAulay and Courtney Becker each had 10.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.