Clark's clutch three helps Iowa to Big Ten tournament title

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts as confetti falls after Iowa wins its third consecutive Big Ten Tournament championship at the Target Center. Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Watch: Caitlin Clark's clutch three-pointer helps Iowa to Big Ten tournament title

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 3/10/24

Even though it wasn't her best game of the season, Iowa guard Caitlin Clark stepped up when it mattered.

Down 87-86 with 51 seconds remaining, the three-time All-American drilled a three-pointer, giving the Hawkeyes a two-point lead against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The big shot helped Iowa capture a 94-89 victory and a third consecutive Big Ten tournament title.

"You want to have a Caitlin Clark on your squad. What a response!"@IowaWBB with the lead. pic.twitter.com/LaFxqHrUNy
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) March 10, 2024

Clark went 5-for-17 from three and had seven turnovers, but she finished with 34 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and three steals.

Senior Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke had 25 points, her second-highest mark this season, and guard Kate Martin scored 13 points, went 4-for-5 from three and had two blocks.

Other players stepping up is a positive for the Hawkeyes. Clark needs more help from her supporting cast. Entering this matchup, the 22-year-old star was the only player on the team averaging more than 15 points per game.

Following the victory, Iowa should seal a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In his latest bracket, ESPN's Charlie Creme listed the Hawkeyes as a top seed, along with Texas, South Carolina and Stanford.

As of Sunday, FanDuel gives them the third-best odds (+600) to win their first national title.

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