Iowa’s Clark sidesteps record talk following loss to Nebraska

Nebraska silenced Iowa star Caitlin Clark in the fourth quarter, denying her the Division I women’s scoring record in a stunning 82-79 victory over the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. 

Trailing 69-55 after three quarters, Nebraska outscored Iowa 27-10 in the final stanza en route to a three-point upset. Meanwhile, Clark needed only eight points to clinch the all-time scoring mark, but the Cornhuskers’ defense stiffened late, holding her scoreless in the fourth quarter. 

Following the loss, Clark sidestepped questions about her impending date with history. Instead, the emphasis was on Iowa’s blown lead, which is becoming a trend for the Hawkeyes. 

“[The record] is not really at the front of my mind right now,” Clark said via ESPN. “Obviously, it will be special, but I think the focus is on finding ways to grow, finding ways to get better. Because — another case of us blowing a lead and, you know, that’s something that has to stop.”

The loss is Iowa’s second in the last six games after suffering only one over the team’s first 19 contests. On Jan. 21, Iowa blew a 12-point lead against No. 18 Ohio State, losing 100-92 in overtime. 

Clark is only eight points away from history after recording 31 points on Sunday and will inevitably break the mark in Iowa’s next contest, Feb. 15, at home against Michigan. However, Sunday will haunt her after posting the first scoreless (0-for6) fourth quarter of her career while clanking a game-tying three with only 30 seconds left in the game. 

Meanwhile, for the Cornhuskers, robbing her of the celebration on their home court is a moment they won’t forget. 

Nebraska guard Jazz Shelley finished with a team-high 23 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. After the game, she told Fox Sports the shot was “the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”