Caitlin Clark’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Iowa to Victory Over Michigan State
Iowa’s star guard, Caitlin Clark, once again proved to be the enemy of the clock. In a thrilling game against Michigan State, Clark hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to secure a 73-73 tie and crush any hopes of overtime for the Spartans. The shot was made from the court logo at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, leaving the crowd in awe.
Clark had an outstanding performance, scoring 40 points, including eight 3-pointers and going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Hannah Stuelke was the only other Hawkeye to score in double-digits, contributing 15 points and eight rebounds.
This season, Clark has consistently been a high scorer, never scoring less than 21 points in a game and reaching a career-high of 44 points against Virginia Tech. She is currently averaging 30.9 points per game. As the 2023 Naismith Player of the Year, Clark holds the title of Iowa’s all-time leading scorer with 3,149 career points.
The victory against Michigan State improves Iowa’s record to 14-1 and keeps them undefeated in conference play.
Clark’s legacy continues to grow as she consistently demonstrates her greatness in crucial moments. Despite being slowed down by the Spartans for most of the game, Clark managed to make a play that will undoubtedly be added to her career highlight reel. With just seconds left on the clock, Stuelke found Clark at the top of the key, and Clark confidently pulled up from the logo to sink the game-winning shot.
Clark’s ability to shoot from long range is a result of years of practice. She often practices shooting 100 logo 3-pointers during workouts in Des Moines. Her trainer, Kevin O’Hare, revealed this dedication to long-range shooting in an interview with The Athletic.
Clark’s hard work paid off on Tuesday night, adding to her already historic career. She currently ranks fifth all-time in NCAA scoring and continues to climb up the ranks with each game. This was her second 40-point scoring game of the season, and Iowa has a 7-3 record in games where Clark scores at least 40 points.
For more insights into Clark’s shooting prowess, check out our in-depth article comparing her to basketball greats like Steph Curry, Dame Lillard, and Sabrina Ionescu.
(Photo: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)