Third time’s the charm! Takeaways as Iowa captures Gulf Coast Showcase crown
Iowa leaves the Sunshine State as a champion once again. The Hawkeyes also finally solved a team that’s given them fits over the past two seasons.
Sixth-ranked Iowa downed No. 22 Kansas State in a thrilling tournament final, 77-70, to capture the Gulf Coast Showcase crown.
In the process, the Hawkeyes avenged their early-season loss from last season in Manhattan, Kan., to the Wildcats and their Nov. 16 loss this season inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena to K-State.
As expected from a team that boasts its own All-American in sixth-year senior center Ayoka Lee, Kansas State refused to go quietly.
Still, the Hawkeyes and their All-American and National Player of the Year made enough plays along the way and late to top K-State for the tourney title.
Let’s jump into some key takeaways.
Iowa got off to a fast start
Given the way this series has played out over the past two seasons, it was imperative that Iowa let Kansas State know early that they came to play. The Hawkeyes did just that, jumping out to a 27-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark knocked down a pair of early 3-pointers, including some vintage logo work. By first quarter’s end, Clark already had 10 points and three assists.
The fast start proved even more important as K-State had a big second-quarter response.
Caitlin Clark was a closer
This is the Clark that Iowa fans know and love. Despite a couple missed free throws late, Clark was a cold-blooded closer in this one.
Clark scored 17 points in the second half and nine of Iowa’s 14 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers in the game’s final two minutes to put Iowa in front 72-68 and then 75-70.
CAITLIN CLARK WITH A DEEP THREE DAGGER. pic.twitter.com/wwKND9lTgo
— Tyler DeLuca (@TylerDeLuca) November 27, 2023
Clark effectively ended K-State’s hopes late. National Player of the Year stuff.
Unsurprisingly, Clark was named the Gulf Coast Showcase Most Outstanding Player.
Molly Davis' game is really rounding into form
Remember when Molly Davis nearly willed Iowa past Kansas State earlier this season inside Carver with seven fourth-quarter points and 10 after halftime?
Maybe it’s something about playing K-State, but Davis’ contributions against the ‘Cats loomed large once more. The fifth-year Hawkeye guard finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including one from beyond the arc.
Davis also had four assists, one steal and zero turnovers in this win over Kansas State. She was deservingly named to the All-Tournament team.
Iowa got what it needed from Kate Martin
The last time Iowa played Kansas State, graduate guard Kate Martin was held scoreless as she missed all three of her field goal attempts.
The 6-foot guard from Edwardsville, Ill., wasn’t about to have a similar encore act. Martin delivered a big day, registering a double-double that featured 11 points and 10 rebounds.
She finished 4-of-6 shooting with an assist and one steal and only one turnover.
Iowa protected the rock, held up on the glass
In the two teams’ first meeting this year, Iowa turned the basketball over 16 times to Kansas State’s nine. In round two, it was a different story.
Iowa had just six turnovers in this Gulf Coast Showcase win over the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes came away with six steals and forced 12 K-State turnovers.
Meanwhile, Iowa held up on the glass. Versus Lee and the Wildcats, Iowa essentially pulled even in the rebounding column. K-State won the rebounding battle 36-35, but Iowa won the battle on the offensive glass 8-4.
Sharon Goodman, Addison O'Grady did their job
Special tip of the cap to redshirt junior center Sharon Goodman and junior center Addison O’Grady who were tasked with slowing down Lee. Goodman ultimately fouled out after 18 minutes of floor time, but she and O’Grady did their job in slowing Lee down just enough.
Lee finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Mission accomplished.
That’s more than acceptable work versus an All-American that once scored an NCAA-women’s basketball record 61 points against Oklahoma.
Plus, Iowa was minus sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke again after she sustained an injury on Friday night versus Purdue-Fort Wayne.
Iowa finally solved K-State
It was a little more than a week ago when Kansas State came into Carver and upset then-No. 2 Iowa. That wasn’t very much fun.
Avenging that loss and last year’s setback felt good. Iowa finally solved K-State. And there were plenty of twists and turns where it could have gone the other way.
It’s a good Kansas State team and Iowa finally topped them in a game that felt like an NCAA Tournament battle.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
