Creighton Bluejays Surprise Iowa Hawkeyes in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, Holding Caitlin Clark to 15 Points

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The first of the top 16 seeds in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament fell on Sunday despite the playground in front of a stand-alone crowd cheering the Division I leader in goal and assists.

Nr. The Bluejays are in a regional final for the first time in program history, continuing on to the Sweet 16 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Does it do a little more for the Hawkeyes? Creighton sophomore guard Lauren Jensen, who scored a 3-pointer for what emerged as winning points with 15 seconds left, surrendered after playing in Iowa last season.

“Of course I’m pretty familiar with the arena because I played here last year,” said Jensen, who led Creighton by 19 points. “On the other hand, there are also some nerves with it, because I’re wearing a different color this year. But I feel like it helped.”

The Hawkeyes regret a tough end to a season in which they shared the Big Ten regular season title and won the league tournament title, the first time in program history that they both made it in the same year. But Creighton’s five-out offense was something Iowa was concerned about coming in, and that proved to be part of the Hawkeyes’ development.

The Bluejays sent out notes that they meant business with an 84-74 victory over No. 7 Som Colorado Friday in the first round, and they led for much of the game Sunday. Iowa got two shots on goal, but both fell short as the buzzer sounded. The Bluejays celebrated with their group of blue-clad fans, surrounded by disappointing thousands of black and gold at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was the seventh win of a double-digit sum so far in the ladies tournament this season, with two of those from the Bluejays.

Iowa’s 62 points were the fewest the Hawkeyes have scored in the last two seasons while Clark was a scoring sensation. But on Sunday, they were held to a season-low 15 points, 4-of-19 from the field, including 0-of-8 in the second half.

It was also the fewest points the Hawkeyes have scored in a home game since scoring 58 goals against Notre Dame in 2016. Clark came into the game with an average of 27.4 points and 7.9 assists, but struggled much of Sunday’s game on the scoreboard, even though she had 11. helps.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder pointed out that Iowa averaged 18 free throws a game, but shot just eight on Sunday. The referees, for the most part, let both teams play fairly physically. Clark, however, did not make the officer a focus.

“I wish I could get more calls; I could say that every single game,” Clark said. “Coach Bluder could say that every game. Our opponents could say it every game. I will not sit here and make excuses for how I play. I mean just come back and work harder than I ever have is really all I have . can do. “

Bluder compliments Creighton and Jensen, calling her “a really, really good kid. Of course, this is an incredible storyline.”

The 5-foot-10 Jensen played in 17 games, averaging 1.4 points per game last season for Iowa, who made the Sweet 16 and dropped to UConn. Jensen chose to transfer and found a good fit at Creighton. She is averaging 12.6 points per game this season for the Bluejays, who are 22-9.

“It was a great environment,” said Creighton coach Jim Flanery. “It was not necessarily the game I envisioned. I did not think the game was in the low 60s, and it certainly did not start that way. It started as if it was 98-93 or somewhere in between. deem Gamme. “

Creighton and Iowa had been preseason scrimmage against each other for several years, even before this season, and Iowa knew how hard it would be to defend the Bluejays. Not just because of their 3-point shooting – Creighton made 10 of 34 attempts – but because of the long rebounds that the Bluejays often produce. Iowa just did not adapt well enough and was outplayed 52-37.

The Hawkeyes expect more from their offense, which shot a season-low 35.8%.

Center Monika Czinano had a team-high 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting, but she and forward McKenna Warnock missed shots in the paint in the final 3 seconds. In all, the Hawkeyes missed 23 shots in the basket.

“A wonderful opportunity for women’s basketball today on ABC in front of a sold-out audience,” Clark said. “I just feel bad for the fans because they have given us so much in the last two weeks, we really want us for a regular season title here at home versus Michigan. And I hope they come out and support us the same. Way to go Years.I know they will.

“I think there is a lot of exciting basketball ahead of this group, but of course the feeling of being fired, leaving coaches, our teammates, it stinks now. But overall I think just more fuel for us and the next Year “.