The 5th ranked-versus-ranked match of the opening week in ladies’s college basketball did not dissatisfy. Caitlin Clark and Georgia Amoore traded 3-guidelines, Elizabeth Kitley had a double-double, and Iowa’s cast of supporting gamers asserted themselves in the paint.
When the dust settled, No. 3 Iowa topped No. 8 Virginia Tech 80-76 in front of an revealed crowd of 15,196 fans at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clark scored 44 points as the Ally Tipoff lived up to the buzz.
Despite the defeat, Virginia Tech was very complimentary of the electrical environment in Charlotte.
“It was definitely unbelievable, for our 2nd videogame in November… It’s what you dream of when you come to college,” Amoore stated. “To be put on the spotlight in an NBA arena with a fantastic challenger, that’s simply what you can dream of.”
Hokies coach Kenny Brooks included: “I’ve been in this arena before when Steph Curry was in here and it wasn’t this loud.”
What a videogame. We may see Iowa vs. VT onceagain in the Final 4.
— Kelly Gramlich (@kellygramlich) November 10, 2023
An early season match like this inbetween 2 groups that played in the Final Four last spring can inform us rather a bit about where they’re going and what sort of expectations we oughtto have for these teams going forward.
Here’s what we foundout about the Hawkeyes and the Hokies:
Nov 9, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) attempts to dribble past Virginia Tech Hokies guard Carleigh Wenzel (1) throughout the 2nd half at Spectrum . Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
This was truly the distinction in the videogame: one group had Clark and the other did not.
Clark’s efficiency significant the ninth time in her profession that she’s scored at least 44 points in a single videogame, and the veryfirst time she had struck that mark giventhat last season’s Final Four win over South Carolina. She shot simply 1-of-7 from 3-point variety in the veryfirst half, however discovered more success from deep variety after halftime, shooting 4-of-9.
“She is a generational skill. She’s got the length, she’s got the speed, she’s actually been talented by every single God you can picture. She’s crazy,” Amoore stated of Clark. “You can state, ‘let’s double-team,’ however she’s so clever that she can choice you apart.”
Clark likewise had 8 rebounds and 6 helps. Perhaps most remarkable is that the ruling agreement National Player of the Year just had one turnover in 40 minutes of play. And she likewise drew 16 fouls.
“You’re playing a generational gamer. We’re going to watch this young girl play for a extremely long time,” Brooks stated. “I love my women, however insomecases, you’re playing checkers and she’s playing chess. She’s that excellent.”
Enjoy Clark while she’s here, college basketball fans. Everything about her videogame shows that she’ll mostlikely be a top-three choice in the WNBA Draft this spring, if she selects to gointo.
Clark completed with 44, the most ever by a Virginia Tech opposing gamer.
Hawkeyes W, 80-76. Scoring went method up in the 4th.
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) November 10, 2023
Nov 9, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Georgia Amoore (5) shoots a jumper over Iowa Hawkeyes guard Gabbie Marshall (24) throughout the veryfirst half at Spectrum . Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The Australian senior – who was the ACC Tournament MVP and the Most Outstanding Player at the Seattle 3 Regional last season – was more than up for a battle with Clark and reiterated her case as one of the country’s top scoring guards.
Iowa leapt out to a 13-4 lead to start the videogame, however Virginia Tech ended the veryfirst quarter on leading, closing the opening duration with a 14-2 run. And much of it was sustained by Amoore, who scor