#12 North Carolina State 94, #10 Iowa 81: Wolfed Down

Ethical victories are solely price a lot. On Sunday, Iowa proved it may well play 40 minutes with one of many nation’s three greatest groups in a detailed loss to UConn. However to attain the outcomes this Iowa crew needs to attain in March, Iowa wants to begin accumulating wins towards high groups. 

There was no higher time to begin than tonight’s sport towards North Carolina State. The #12 Wolfpack had been 6-1 on the season, and their solely loss was at UConn. There is a good likelihood they are going to find yourself as a High 10 crew by season’s finish. 

A victory over NC State could be a giant enhance to Iowa’s resume. Final yr, Iowa earned a #2 seed and not using a marquee non-conference victory. Iowa would even have a possibility so as to add one other massive win towards Iowa State subsequent week. 

A loss could be problematic for Iowa. It will give NC State a de facto head-to-head benefit over Iowa for NCAA Event seeding functions assuming their resumes find yourself comparable. It additionally would possibly demoralize the crew considerably on condition that they drop to 5-3 general regardless of beginning the yr as preseason #4. And it will make the Iowa State sport a must-win if Iowa needs a marquee non-conference victory. 

So would the Hawkeyes get the victory they wanted, or endure one other crushing defeat to a high crew?

Recap

The primary quarter began nicely for Iowa. The Hawks led 9-1 within the first 4 minutes, and led 17-9 with lower than a minute to play within the quarter. However Iowa turned the ball over twice in its remaining three possessions and NC State received two late baskets to slender the rating to 17-13 heading to the second quarter.

The second quarter went poorly for Iowa. Offensively, the one participant who may do something was Caitlin Clark. She had 24 factors within the first half. Her teammates had 11. Defensively, Iowa didn’t play all that badly. The Wolfpack simply made the overwhelming majority of the jumpers that they took. All instructed, NC State took a 39-35 lead into halftime.

Early within the third quarter Iowa tried to power the ball in to Monika Czinano, and it simply didn’t work. Iowa turned the ball over on a number of makes an attempt, and its offense didn’t get something going. NC State continued to assault offensively, and led 48-38. Issues by no means actually improved from there, and NC State led 63-53 heading to the fourth quarter. NC State led by as many as 13 within the quarter.

Early within the fourth quarter, Clark went supernova, hitting a number of massive threes from distance. Iowa closed NC State’s hole and received inside two possessions a number of occasions. However NC State all the time discovered a solution on the opposite finish every time the sport received shut. NC State stretched out the lead late, and received 94-81.

Field Rating

Clark led Iowa with 45 factors, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. She shot 16/28 from the ground and 5/13 from three. McKenna Warnock added 15 factors and seven rebounds. She didn’t shoot nicely from the ground however was 7/8 from the road. No different Hawkeye scored in double-figures. A field rating for the sport is right here.

No Assist

Caitlin Clark scored 45 factors and Iowa misplaced by 13. That shouldn’t be attainable. However Iowa’s supporting solid performed one of many worst video games it ever has one sport after enjoying one in all its greatest.

Gabbie Marshall had 0 factors on 0/5 taking pictures, and had only one help and one rebound in 29 minutes. Kate Martin didn’t rating till late within the sport when it was already near over, and had zero rebounds and one help. Molly Davis, Taylor McCabe, Sydney Affolter, and Addison O’Grady mixed for 2 factors, one rebound, and two assists in 28 minutes. And Hannah Stuelke scored seven factors but in addition turned it over three occasions.

Czinano MIA

Maybe most surprising of all, although, was the disappearance of Monika Czinano. NC State did a beautiful job on her defensively, however Czinano often scores at the very least 10 factors even in off nights. Tonight she solely scored 5 factors and solely took 4 photographs in 35 minutes.

I don’t know methods to clarify that, frankly. Sure, the protection was good (and the referees let NC State get away with a variety of contact) however how does Iowa solely discover its star middle 4 photographs in a sport? Apart from the temporary interval to begin the third quarter, it’s like Iowa forgot Czinano existed.

In Sum

Good groups discover methods to win. Proper now, this Iowa crew is discovering methods to lose. There’s nonetheless loads of time between now and March, however one thing wants to vary. If not, Iowa goes to maintain developing quick in massive video games.

Subsequent Up

Iowa returns to motion this Sunday, December 4 at 1 PM CT towards Wisconsin. The Badgers are simply 3-6 on the season, together with a loss to Kansas State. The sport might be streamed on BTN Plus ($).