Social media reactions: Caitlin Clark, Iowa Hawkeyes women roll Southern in opener

Debuting as the No. 6 team in the preseason USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll was just one final reminder of the type of lofty expectations that surround this Iowa women’s basketball team.

Despite a slow start in the first quarter and several injury scares to star point guard Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes eventually rolled away from the Southern Jaguars, winning 87-34 and demonstrating plenty of what has pundits thinking national title contention.

Clark temporarily exited just three minutes into the game after laying on the floor and then limping off after an injury to her ankle. She returned and promptly suffered a bloodied lip.

It didn’t faze her. She settled in, scoring 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range to lead all scorers in just a hair over 20 minutes of court time.

Fifth-year forward Monika Czinano and freshman forward Hannah Stuelke each chipped in with 10 points. That duo combined to knock down 8-of-11 field goal attempts.

Iowa led just 15-10 after one period of play. The Hawkeyes missed all eight of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter and shot just 4-of-12 from the floor.

That changed quickly in the second quarter as Iowa shot 56.3% in the second quarter and 46.2% from 3-point distance as the Hawkeyes rolled away from Southern.

“I think at first it kind of shocked us a little bit, but we got going in the second quarter and outscored them 28 to five. I’m happy with our 86% shooting if you take out the threes, so that was really good. I thought we got some really good bench production tonight. It was the first test, and we know the competition is going to get better. We have to be more prepared for that,” Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder said.

Hawkeye fans and media took to social media to rejoice in the return of Iowa women’s basketball. Here was the best from the opening night that was.

Time to rise to the occasion

2022-23 season loading

The hero Carver deserves

State of Iowa holds its breath

More injury problems for Clark

A sigh of relief

No foul?

Uniform modifications

Can't allow it

Back like a boss

Don't worry, she's good

Better when she's angry?

Kate rises

20-15

Martin to Czinano

She's back!

Curtsied Films treatment

Molly Davis rangefinder

Controlled chaos

Rough and tumble opener

Queen B is back

A Hawkeye winner

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire