On Jan. 5, 2024, the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team defeated the Rutgers Knights 103-69 at the Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, NJ.
Caitlin Clark, the nation’s favorite college player, led the Hawkeyes with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, which is her 14th career triple-double.
Kate Martin sealed the Hawkeyes’ win, scoring 17 points, and Gabbie Marshall tallied 12 points.
Kassondra Brown guided the Knights with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Not only was this game a blowout on the scoreboard, but also in attendance.
Jersey Mike’s Arena was packed to the brim, the first sellout for the team since hosting UConn in 2006. All 8,000 seats were filled with loud and energetic fans, mostly cheering for Caitlin Clark.
The energy didn’t just start inside. Fans lined up at the door two hours before opening. Caitlin Clark jerseys filled the line.
Rutgers surprisingly held its own for the first quarter. Only down by 6 points, the Knights had fans nervous. Iowa secured the win with a 30-11 point run in the second half.
“Once we started getting stops, we were able to push a little bit,” said Clark.
The second half was an absolute run-away for the Hawkeyes. Clark, obviously a big factor for this win, secured her triple-double early in the fourth quarter, with her 10th assist and a series of rebounds.
This was Clark’s 8th triple-double with 25 points or more. No college player, man or woman, has ever had more than three.
To thunderous applause, Clark subbed out with 6:20 left to go in the game.
After the game, the runway to Iowa’s locker room was overflowing with adorning supporters, almost all young girls hoping to get an autograph from the legend.
Clark signed jerseys, shoes and even posters. Clark was amazed and full of gratitude for the audience.
“The crowd was incredible,” said Clark. “There were a lot of little girls, most I’ve seen in a long time. We don’t get to come out to the east coast much. It’s really special the cheer I got when I ran off the court. Some moments you’re never going to forget.”
The Hawkeyes recognized how important the crowd is during a game.
“I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight,” said assistant coach Jan Jensen. “The energy was incredible.”
Although this game was thrilling and full of smiles, it held a deeper meaning for the Hawkeyes.
Before the National Anthem played, the arena was asked to take a moment of silence to honor and mourn the victims of the recent school shooting in Iowa.
“I grew up 40 minutes away, and you know it gave me chills in that moment of silence,” said Clark. “Thinking and praying for all those people affected and as you saw we were wearing blue ribbons and supporting them tonight.”
Clark, along with her team, is breaking barriers for all of women’s sports.
It’s no surprise that Clark is called the best college athlete, including both men and women. Known for putting on show-stopping performances, Clark and her team did exactly that in New Jersey.
