WOMENS BASKETBALL

Iowa 103, Rutgers 69

BY DOUG FEINBERG
ASSOCIATED PRESS

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Caitlin Clark had 29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for her 14th career triple-double to lead No. 4 Iowa to a 103-69 win over Rutgers.

Kate Martin added 17 points for the Hawkeyes (15-1, 4-0 Big Ten).

Like many of Iowa’s road contests this season, Friday’s game was a sellout — the first for Rutgers (6-11, 0-4) since the team hosted UConn in 2006. Fans, many wearing Clark shirts and jerseys, lined up nearly two hours before tip waiting to get in.

They weren’t disappointed.

From deep 3-pointers to 30-foot bounce passes that led to layups, the reigning AP Player of the Year made her presence felt on the court and drew loud cheers nearly every time she touched the ball.

She had nine points, four rebounds and three assists in the opening quarter when Iowa led 25-19. The Hawkeyes put the game away in the second, outscoring Rutgers 30-11 to lead by 25 at the half.

The only drama in the second half was whether Clark would get her third triple-double of the season. She achieved it early in the fourth quarter when she secured her 10th rebound and then had consecutive assists to give her double digits in that category.

She exited the game with 6:20 left to a loud ovation from the crowd.

Iowa took the hour drive to New York on Thursday to take in a show and sightsee. The Hawkeyes went to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree and Times Square.

Kassondra Brown had 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead Rutgers.

HONORING A LEGEND

Former Rutgers Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer was honored before the game for being named a 2024 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Basketball. Stringer led Rutgers to the national championship game in 2007 and before that had a successful career coaching at Iowa. Hawkeyes coach Lisa Bluder presented Stringer with flowers before both teams gathered at center court behind Stringer.

SCORING HUNT

Clark now has 3,218 points and is 309 behind Kelsey Plum for the all-time scoring record in women’s college basketball. Plum finished her illustrious career at Washington with 3,527 points. Clark is currently fifth and climbing also trailing Kelsey Mitchell (3,402), Jackie Stiles (3,393) and Brittney Griner (3,283).

January 5, 2024