AP Photo/Chris Carlson
In just the second game of the 2023-24 season, Iowa star guard Caitlin Clark put up a mind-blowing performance.
The reigning National Player of the Year recorded 44 points to lead the No. 3-ranked Hawkeyes to an 80-76 win in Thursday’s marquee matchup against the No. 8 Virginia Tech Hokies. Clark also added eight rebounds and six assists while accounting for more than half of Iowa’s final point total.
Clark shot 13-of-31 from the field and made only five of her 16 three-pointers, but she was efficient from the free-throw line, shooting 13-of-17.
The Hawkeyes needed every bit of Clark’s stellar effort to stave off a hard-charging Hokies team, which was led by Georgia Amoore’s 31 points. Iowa took the lead for good with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
Fans on social media were left in awe by Clark’s performance in Thursday’s victory:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Caitlin Clark went OFF tonight vs. Virginia Tech 👏
🔥 44 PTS
🔥 8 REB
🔥 6 AST
🔥 W pic.twitter.com/PDB65z9Hqz
Alexa Philippou @alexaphilippou
Update: This is Caitlin Clark’s 9th career 40-point game, tying Kelsey Plum for the most in Division I over the last 25 seasons, men’s or women’s | @ESPNStatsInfo https://t.co/dHzrOHBqTx
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
Caitlin Clark now has 5 career games with 40 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, including 3 against AP Top-10 opponents.
Since her career began, the rest of Division I has 3 such games, period. pic.twitter.com/dPOhQhe7Vw
Prop Geek Zeke📚 @PropGeekZeke
Tonight, I watched Caitlin Clark instead of TNF.
100% worth it. She’s absolutely insane to watch.
41-6-8🔥 pic.twitter.com/f5hfMFsJXO
Keith Murphy @MurphyKeith
#3 Iowa and #8 Virginia Tech with a nice showcase for talent, but only one team has Caitlin Clark.
Clark scores 44 points, adds 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Iowa knocks off VA Tech, 80-76. Georgia Amoore had 31 points for the Hokies.
Big win for the #Hawkeyes. Could move up to #2… pic.twitter.com/29eFl6fQHd
Keith Murphy @MurphyKeith
#3 Iowa and #8 Virginia Tech with a nice showcase for talent, but only one team has Caitlin Clark.
Clark scores 44 points, adds 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Iowa knocks off VA Tech, 80-76. Georgia Amoore had 31 points for the Hokies.
Big win for the #Hawkeyes. Could move up to #2… pic.twitter.com/29eFl6fQHd
Clark made it clear that she returned for her senior season because she hopes to lead the Hawkeyes to a national championship after coming so close to achieving the feat last year. Thursday’s performance indicates that she’s on a mission to be even more dominant this season, and basketball fans will surely enjoy watching her put up numbers night in and night out.
Clark will look to lead Iowa to a 3-0 start when the team returns to action on Sunday against Northern Iowa (1-0)
