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Caitlin Clark Falls Shy of Scoring Record, Stuns Fans as No. 2 Iowa Loses to Nebraska

Joseph Zucker

Bad offensive possessions and prolonged stretches without points are typically reserved for the Iowa football team.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes were cruising through three quarters against Nebraska on Sunday. Then they were limited to 10 points in the final frame as they were upset 82-79 on the road.

Jaz Shelley scored a team-high 23 points for the Cornhuskers, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. She put the home on top with a three-pointer with 31 seconds on the clock.

Iowa star Caitlin Clark fell eight points short of passing Kelsey Plum for the all-time scoring record. She finished with 31 but went scoreless in the fourth quarter, missing all six of her shots.

Needless to say, fans were shocked to see Iowa's disappearing act, and some wondered whether her quest for the scoring title indirectly determined the game:

Iowa has one game in the week ahead, a home contest against Michigan on Thursday.

Clark hasn't scored fewer than 21 points in a game this year, so it would take a season-worst performance to keep her from overtaking Plum. She and her teammates will be itching to rebound from Sunday's defeat as well. Clark could potentially claim the record before the first quarter ends.

For the Hawkeyes, the bigger picture is continuing to be in a position to claim a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. With No. 14 Indiana and No. 5 Ohio State on the schedule, winning out would likely achieve just that.

   

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