Takeaways as the Iowa Hawkeyes ace road test against Purdue Boilermakers
A Wednesday road test in the middle of Big Ten play is never easy regardless of who you are. Things get even tougher when you are the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team carrying a big bullseye on your back into every arena you step into.
The Hawkeyes went to West Lafayette, Indiana, and took down the Purdue Boilermakers 96-71 inside the famous Mackey Arena in a showing that may not be overly memorable but one that shows this team is on a mission and not faltering.
Everything was working, this team played confidently, and the Hawkeyes handled their business as you would expect the No. 3 team in the nation to do.
Iowa wasn’t caught looking ahead or sleepwalking through a game that could often catch a team and cause them to slip up. It was a phenomenal showing and here are the takeaways from the performance.
Caitlin Clark remains superhuman
Caitlin Clark’s legend is already among those in Iowa lore. Somehow she keeps adding to it and it seems each day is a new feat she accomplishes.
All she did was put up another triple-double on a Wednesday night on the road with a stat line of 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists as she shot 6-14 from three-point range. Each game she is bringing everything and it is all working right now.
Hawkeyes dominated the boards
This was very nice to see from the Hawkeyes. It was a sizable gap in the advantage on the boards and that feeds right into the game the Hawkeyes want to play of getting up and down the court in a hurry.
Iowa reeled in 40 rebounds to Purdue’s 23. Four Hawkeyes had at least 6 rebounds and it came from guars and forwards getting in on the action.
This team is lethal from three
If this team can continue to be red-hot from the three-point range, they might just be the most dangerous team in America. Purdue was on the unfortunate receiving end of this.
Iowa went 15-33 from three-point range which is a sky-high 45.5% shooting percentage. Six different Hawkeyes drained one from distance which speaks to the sheer depth and talent of this team.
The supporting cast was excellent
We know Caitlin Clark is going to do her thing, but without her supporting cast things may be a lot different. Everyone contributed tonight and if Iowa can continue to get these contributions, they are nearly unguardable.
Hannah Stuelke added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Gabbie Marshall has found her shot from deep as she poured in 12 points on four made three-pointers. Kate Martin as Kate Martin does added in a quiet 15 points and 8 rebounds to do her thing. Sydney Affolter joined the party with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Perfect showing before the big one
This was a classic trap game for the Hawkeyes. It was on the road in dreary weather against a team they are better than and routinely beat. They could have easily slipped up or let this thing become close, especially with the ranked matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers coming on Saturday in primetime.
None of that happened. Iowa delivered a perfect performance to get ready for the biggest game of their season up to this point. Lisa Bluder had them ready to go and will surely be pushing all the right buttons once again on Saturday evening.
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