A total of eight was scored by no other Hawkeye.

On Sunday, December 10, 2023, at a packed Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, during a women’s basketball game between No. 4 Iowa and Wisconsin, Iowa player Caitlin Clark grinned after making a three-pointer.

Madison, Wisconsin – A packed Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, saw the No. 4 Iowa women’s basketball team destroy the Wisconsin Badgers 87-65 in their league debut on Sunday afternoon.

With guard Kate Martin contributing 16 points and forward Caitlin Clark scoring 35, the Hawkeyes last defeated the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames on Wednesday, 67-58. However, no other Hawkeye scored in double figures.

During Friday’s media availability, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder stated that she wants her team to go for close to 20 assists in the game and to spread the scoring a little more this time.

Only two Hawkeyes players scored in double digits, despite the team recording 21 assists during the contest.

Despite the Hawkeyes recording 21 assists throughout the game, only two players scored in double digits.

Hannah Stuelke, a second-year forward from Iowa, looked fully recovered on Wednesday after her playing time was restricted because of a bothersome leg issue. After Clark, she scored 21 points on 8 of 16 shots from the field.

“Obviously, it was nice to have Hannah Stuelke back,” Bluder remarked. “It’s great to have her back because she played for an endless amount of minutes tonight and gave us whatever we needed.”

With most of the load on her shoulders early in the first quarter, Iowa center Sharon Goodman eventually found herself alternating with Wisconsin center Serah Williams in the second year as the Hawkeyes were unable to connect from beyond the arc.

However, Clark quickly got going, finishing a and-one and another after that. He then made a brilliant pass to Stuelke for a lay after getting past a few Badger players.

While Stuelke continued to be active and aggressive in the paint, scoring seven points in the first quarter, the Badgers’ fluid and fast-paced offense kept Iowa level with Wisconsin at 21 points apiece at the end of the period.

The Hawkeyes continued to favor cuts to and layups near the rim as their troubles with three-point shooting did not fully improve in the second quarter, as they shot just 3-of-14 from outside the arc in the half.

As “Let’s go Hawks” shouts started to reverberate throughout Kohl Center, Iowa began to seize control of the game’s pace and flow, driving the ball forward in transition and dashing fast to the basket.

The Hawkeyes lead by 18 points after another long Clark three, and after her layup on the next possession, the crowd once again erupted in cheers for the Hawks. Iowa took a 70-51 lead into the last quarter shortly after that.

Consequently, Clark’s early struggles with three-point shooting were alleviated, particularly after she scored her game-winning four points in the fourth quarter, which brought her total to 28.

Regarding the shooting problems, Bluder remarked, “I always feel like it’s contagious.” “Man, when someone misses, it seems like everyone begins to doubt themselves.” Someone appears and creates them; the second half was completely different, don’t you think?

“I believe that momentum can play a role at times, and I believe that sports are full of momentum swings and similar situations,” Bluder continued. “So I believe that more than anything it was just a confidence issue.”

With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Stuelke scored his 21st point. With Iowa leading 23 points, Bluder substituted reserve forwards AJ Ediger and Jada Gyamfi to ride the lead until the final buzzer, effectively sealing the victory.

“I felt like I was really good to myself today,” Stuelke remarked. I felt a little depressed. We spoke about that, and I really appreciated how much the coach helped me reconnect with myself. That’s why I adore her. However, it was fantastic to be back outside today and jump high.

Bluder remarked, “This conference is so hard.” “Whenever you go on the road, you have to love it if you come out on top and leave.”

The Hawkeyes will take six days off to recuperate and recover before heading out on another road trip on December 16 to play Cleveland State in the HyVee Hawkeye Showcase in Des Moines. This time, the game will be considerably closer.

With a 9-1 overall record and a loss to Bowling Green, whom Iowa defeated, in their season’s opening game, the Vikings sit atop the Horizon League.