Caitlin Clark, No. 4 Iowa Trolled by CBB Fans After Loss to No. 14 Indiana

Julia StumbaughFebruary 23, 2024

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Fans who lined up around the block Bloomington’s Assembly Hall Thursday night expected to see a Hawkeyes win on what has officially been designated Caitlin Clark Day in the state of Iowa.

They didn’t get one.

No. 14 Indiana upset Clark and No. 4 Iowa in an 86-69 win as Clark made just eight of 26 shots from the field, including 3-of-16 on threes.

Clark finished the night with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but led the Hawkeyes with five turnovers.

The upset led to criticism of Clark, who was the main reason the game sold out as one of Indiana’s best-selling contests this season.

Despite last week breaking the NCAA women’s basketball career scoring record by passing Kelsey Plum’s college career total of 3,527, Clark was held to just four points in the second half of Thursday’s loss.

Derek Cornjerker Hoodjer Burner @HoodjerBurnerHow does this affect Caitlin Clark’s legacy? Losing on a day named after her? Almost a worse L than Christopher Columbus Day. pic.twitter.com/LTZOBUw0d0

crimson quarry @crimsonquarryThe Caitlin Clark Effect

*losing in big ol sold out arenas in front of as many eyes as possible

beng @kicknyrgios8/26, 3/15, 5 turnovers, losing by 20 points? Common Caitlin Clark game.

No Escalators @NoEscalatorsIowa is going to need a full team effort to come back against Indiana which is why Caitlin Clark is going to spend halftime learning her teammates’ names

Owen McDonough @Owen__McDonoughFirst time watching Caitlin Clark in person but man…. she just looked like another basketball player

Kevin Ham @kevh14If there is such a thing as a quiet 24…Caitlin Clark just did it. Almost had a triple double but was off tonight. Glad to see the Hoosiers win !

sean @Sean_HQCaitlin Clark is 1-3 in Bloomington #iuwbb

Others defended Clark, who is 75 points away from passing Pete Maravich for the all-time NCAA scoring record of 3,667 career points.

Iowa has three regular-season games left, and Clark, who is averaging 32.8 points per game despite Thursday night’s loss, remains on pace to set a new standard for college basketball.

Nick Polum @NickPolum73To all the Caitlin Clark haters that’ll come out of the rafters tonight, Jordan had bad games and lost too. She’s still better than anyone in the country

Annie @A_Larkin15Meanwhile Caitlin Clark will keep selling out everyone else’s home court, something no other women’s basketball player or team has been able to do.

Iowa is back in action Sunday at home against Illinois. The game is already sold out as fans vie to see Clark in what could be one of her final regular-season NCAA games if she decides to declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft.