No. 2 seed Iowa women’s basketball and superstar Caitlin Clark topped No. 6 seed Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
The Hawkeyes will play Nebraska in the championship at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Check below to re-live game updates, analysis, highlights and memorable moments:
GAME STORY:Iowa women’s basketball cruises by Michigan to reach Big Ten Tournament final
More:Leistikow: More history for Caitlin Clark, who has Iowa on doorstep of Big Ten three-peat
FINAL: Iowa 95, Michigan 68
With a tournament-record 30 assists, Iowa cruised to victory yet again.
Q4/2:58 Iowa 90, Michigan 63 – Benches are in
Iowa is running an all-bench lineup now, resting its starters for tomorrow’s championship game vs. Nebraska.
This comes after a terrific display of ball movement.
Hannah Stuelke exits with turned ankle
While landing after a made layup, Hannah Stuelke rolled her left ankle and fell to the court in pain. She was only down for a few moments before walking to the bench on her own, but the replay showed that she landed on a defender’s foot and turned her ankle.
Q4/9:01 Iowa 77, Michigan 55 – It’s all but over
Clark hits a triple and urges the crowd to get loud and stand up. Hawkeyes fans oblige. Michigan calls timeout to calm everyone down.
It’s a common fourth-quarter occurrence for Iowa, one that typically indicates the Hawkeyes have the game all but won.
End 3: Iowa 72, Michigan 55 – Caitlin Clark breaks another record
Although both teams weren’t as efficient offensively as in the first half, Iowa has continued to attack the paint and as starting to draw shooting fouls as a result.
Clark remains a floor general today and has 21 points and 14 points. She also broke the Big Ten record for made free throws in a career with 778.
Hannah Stuelke continues to be extremely efficient with 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting.
Q3/4:40 Iowa 62, Michigan 47 – Sydney Affolter breakout again
Sydney Affolter, who’s starting for the second straight game in replacement of the injured Molly Davis, has once again made the most of her increased role.
She’s up to 12 points, five rebounds and six assists, doing anything and everything required of her to help Iowa build its lead.
Affolter’s also showcased unique instincts and playmaking ability that make her a true X-factor.
Halftime: Iowa 51, Michigan 42 – Clark dominant, Wolverines hanging on
Clark closed the half with a signature 3-pointer from the logo, but Michigan, as it often has this afternoon, responded with a triple of its own to cut the deficit to nine points.
With how much Iowa scored in the paint that first half, the Hawkeyes only shot two free throws. Don’t be surprised to see that number increase as Michigan puts a bigger emphasis on rim protection out of the halftime locker room.
If Michigan cools off from deep (9-of-13), Iowa should be in good shape.
Q2/4:09 Iowa 42, Michigan 33 – Clark carving up Michigan
Caitlin Clark has been stellar in tis first half and already has a double-double (12 points, 10 assists), her 20th this season.
Iowa overall has dominated the paint offensively, with over 75% of its points coming in that area, even with Stuelke on the bench in foul trouble.
The Hawkeyes this frame have also out-hustled the Wolverines, beating them down the floor and to loose balls.
Q2/7:45 Iowa 33, Michigan 28 – Hawkeyes back on top
Hannah Stuelke is off to a 4-for-4 shooting start but was forced to the bench after picking up her second foul.
Still, Iowa has taken full control of this game with an 11-3 run to start the second frame. It stemmed from continued offensive execution and forcing turnovers, of which Michigan has committed six.
End 1: Iowa 22, Michigan 25 – Offense, offense, offense
Iowa did what it normally does offensively: Hit 3s, push the pace, find Hannah Stuelke in the paint.
But the Hawkeyes’ defense allowed Michigan to get comfortable and confident. While the Wolverines surely won’t keep up their current shooting proficiency, Iowa can make strides by being more physical.
Clark still doesn’t look fully in rhythm after her off-shooting night on Friday, but she was stellar passing the ball and has six assists already.
Q1/1:30 Iowa 17, Michigan 25- Wolverines can’t miss
Michigan is 6-for-6 from 3 thus far, just a spectacular start for the underdogs.
The Wolverines don’t look intimidated at all, while Iowa seems a bit unsure offensively.
If there’s a way to beat Iowa, it’s by taking and making plenty of triples.
Q1/4:43 Iowa 13, Michigan 12 – A back-and-forth start
After a clunky beginning with consecutive offensive fouls called on each team’s opening possession, Clark got the scoring going with a crafty hesitation dribble in transition that led to a layup, and then a steal and assist to Sydney Affolter for a wide-open layup.
Clark then rattled in a deep triple and tallied a couple more assists. She’s scored or assisted Iowa’s first 11 points.
Michigan has done well to remain composed, however, and is red hot from behind the arc. The Wolverines are 3-for-3 from deep.
What is the spread of Iowa vs. Michigan women’s basketball?
According to ESPN BET, the Hawkeyes are 18.5-point favorites over the Wolverines. Iowa’s moneyline is -3500 and Michigan’s is +1000.
The over/under is 160.5 points.
Iowa women’s basketball vs. Michigan prior matchup history
Iowa previous beat Michigan 106-89 at home on Feb. 15, which was these team’s only meeting of the 2023-24 regular season.
Caitlin Clark had the best game of her career in that contest, totaling a 49 points and 13 assists with nine made 3-pointers.
How to watch Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball vs. Michigan in Big Ten Tournament semifinals
More:Iowa women’s basketball vs. Michigan: How to watch Caitlin Clark in Big Ten Tournament
Iowa women’s basketball vs. Michigan preview content
Who are Michigan women’s basketball’s best players?
- Scoring leader: Laila Phelia (16.7 PPG)
- Assists leader: Jordan Hobbs (3.1 APG)
- Rebounding leader: Cameron Williams (4.7 RPG)
Gus Martin is a Digital Producer/Content Director for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on X at @GusMartin_DMR.
First appeared on www.hawkcentral.com