West Virginia’s coach wanted to “send Caitlin Clark packing.” Instead, Clark and her teammates are packing for the Sweet 16.
West Virginia Head Coach Mark Kellogg said “Let’s win one and send Caitlin Clark packing” #ncaawbb #marchmadness pic.twitter.com/r8SRStzTkm
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) March 18, 2024
There were two things amiss with what West Virginia coach Mark Kellogg said. One, the game was played at Carver-Hawkeye Area, the Hawkeyes’ home floor. Even if they lost, they wouldn’t pack because they’re already home.
Two, Clark gets fired up by trash talk, officials or anyone who’s in her way on a basketball court. She scored 32 points in Iowa’s 64-54 win, shooting 11-for-12 from the foul line and breaking Kelsey Plum’s single-season scoring record.
The moment @CaitlinClark22 wrote her name in the record books once again! #MarchMadness x ESPN / @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/1U2H22VUIk
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 26, 2024
Kellogg’s talk did fire up the Mountaineers, who delivered a great defensive effort. They held Clark to 1-for-5 shooting and Iowa to only six points in an impressive second quarter. The problem was they only scored nine themselves.
West Virginia also held Iowa to a lone field goal in the fourth and tied the game with a 10-0 run to start the quarter. But they committed 12 fouls in the quarter, and Iowa made 14 of their last 15 free throws to advance.
Now Iowa will be packing for the Albany regional, where Clark will try to extend her scoring record against Colorado. The head coach of the Buffaloes wisely hasn’t said anything about Clark. Yet.
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