Iowa Caitlin Clark Beats Buzzer and Michigan State Spartans

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the third quarter against the LSU Lady Tigers during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo : Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It only took 0.1 seconds for Iowa Guard Caitlin Clark to get a shot up late in the second half to give the Hawkeyes the win against the Michigan State Spartans women's team, creating another magical moment throughout her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

Clark sank a three at the logo to beat the buzzer to cap off a 40-point performance and secure a  76-73 win for the No.4 Iowa against the Michigan Spartans.

At the time, Clark revealed that she knew the shot was money the moment she released the ball.

"Honestly, when it left my hand, I knew it was going in," Clark said. 

"We practice those plays every single day at practice,"  Clark said to NBC during the post game interview. "That's what we run every single time. ... They contested it pretty well, honestly. It was a close game; they played us really well. You gotta give them credit. Things didn't go our way tonight, but we persevered."  She added.

The matchup between the two bitter Big Ten rivals was intense throughout.  As the Spartans, who entered a packed Carver-Hawkeye arena with hopes of picking up a win, made it challenging for the Hawkeyes all night. 

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Iowa Caitlin Clark Calls Game 

Michigan opened the contest early with an 8-0 run. Before the Hawkeyes would storm back, going on a run of their own, scoring 14 unanswered points. 

Both teams would then trade leads throughout the second half, which led to the crazy final minutes of the game.  Clark hit big-time shots down the stretch, and with some clutch free-throws from Iowa guard Molly Davis helped seal the game for the Hawkeyes. 

Michigan State tied the game at 73 late in the fourth quarter on a layup from guard DeeDee Hagemann's, leaving 22 seconds remaining. 

But Caitlin Clark would put the dagger in Michigan State's heart, hitting a contested three to ice the match. 

Though it was a rough night for Clark, who went 14-34 from the field, she hit 8 of 20 shots from deep; along with hitting a clutch free throw to help seal the game for the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes are currently 14-1 this season and Clark has been a major reason for the program's success over the last few years.

Iowa Caitlin Clark Makes History 

Clark has been sensational, following a year in which she won National Player of the Year, averaging 30.9 points while shooting 49% from the field and leading the nation in scoring.  

This game also marked Clark's 100th game scoring 20 points and her third consecutive 35-point game, which is tied for the most in Division I history. 

She also registered 3,000 points, 750 rebounds, and 750 assists; becoming the only women's NCAA player to do so. 

Clark could possibly be eligible for the 2025 WNBA Draft and she will probably go number one overall based on her exceptional run during her time in Iowa.

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