Fresh off a week-long holiday hiatus and riding high on a five-game winning streak, the No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes were back in action as they took on the unranked but respectable Boilermakers of Purdue. Amidst the competitiveness that has come to define the Big Ten, the defending conference champions came in looking to make a statement. That statement is that they can hold their own even as teams such as Purdue and their Sunday opponent Illinois are rising. A win would momentarily solidify their place as one of the top contenders in conference play. A loss could jeopardize their status and make them have to work twice as hard.
On another note, Monika Czinano came in needing 11 points to reach 2,000 for her career. History and credibility were on the line before the year wrapped up.
From the start, the Hawkeyes quickly realized that they had their work cut out for them. Their usual explosive offense was largely neutralized by Purdue’s pressured-packed defense, which included a full-court press where two defenders would be on Caitlin Clark as she brought the ball up. Also, Czinano was double-teamed in the paint when she was given the ball. As a result, they struggled for points and at times turned the ball over.
Defensively they did an effective job at keeping Purdue’s offense searching for baskets as well.
Things seemed rather stagnant, but then at the 5:30 minute mark, McKenna Warnock hit a three to put Iowa up 8-7. Then at 5:07, Clark found Kate Martin inside for a layup to make it 10-7 and get the crowd at Carver on their feet.
After a full timeout, the tag team of Warnock and Martin did their thing by denying Jeanae Terry a fast break layup. Warnock forced her to miss the shot and then off a Terry rebound Martin stole the ball and got back in transition. They were on top of their game on defense but they continued to struggle offensively as they were missing shots they would normally make and couldn’t get on a run.
At 3:16, Madison Layden hit a three for Purdue to tie the game at 10. Then at 2:24, Martin answered back with a three of her own to put the Hawkeyes up 13-10.
After a layup by Purdue’s Jayla Smith, at the 1:43 minute mark, Clark hit a jumper to give her six points and put the Hawkeyes up 15-12.
As the quarter wound down, it was none other than Clark who led the way in securing control of the game for Iowa as she hit another jumper on the right shoulder to put them up 17-12 with just under a minute to go.
Things were…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Swish Appeal – All Posts…