Husker Dan: Iowa Had Clark, But Nebraska Had Snazzy Jazzy

To be sure, Sunday was The Caitlin Clack Show at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The only two things in doubt for the game were: Would Clark get the 39 points she needed to break the all-time D-1 women’s career basketball scoring record and by how many points would the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska.

It didn’t look good for the home team Huskers late in the game. In fact going into the fourth quarter, Iowa led by 14 and Clark already had 31 points. Getting a win for Iowa and 39 points for Clark seemed like a slam dunk.

Until it didn’t.

Amazingly, Clark would not score another point in the game. Instead, it was time for Husker guard Jaz Shelley to step up her game. She had 10 points in the quarter with none bigger than her three-pointer with 30 seconds to go that gave NU its first lead of the game, 78-77.

Snazzy Jazzy then made four critical free throws down the stretch to help seal the 82-79 Husker win

The final seconds were filled with drama. With time running out, Clark launched a three pointer that would have tied the game but it clanked on the rim. Iowa got the rebound and fired the ball out to its grad student guard Kate Martin. Her shot missed and the Huskers began their on court celebration.

Here are the last two minutes of the game.

Husker head coach Amy Williams, who was a four year letter winner at Nebraska (’95-’98), was visibly emotional after the game. And why not? Her team had just beaten the #2 ranked team tying a program record. The game was also played in front of the first sellout crowd at PBA in 11 seasons (15,042). With the win, the Huskers also snapped a string of eight consecutive losses to Iowa.

More importantly, the win came over an Iowa team led by super star Caitlin Clark. She is averaging just north of 28 points a game. Clark is also the winner of the Naismith Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year Award, the John R. Wooden Award and the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award.

Iowa’s loss to Nebraska Sunday in no way diminishes what Caitlin Clark has accomplished at Iowa. She is a great player and no one should ever doubt that.

Note: For the many Iowa fans who jammed into PBA for Sunday’s basketball game expecting a win, their ride back home must have seemed much longer and quieter than they had anticipated.

Yesterday’s win was a huge step for Husker women’s basketball. I am so proud of those ladies! Awesome win!

Next up for the 16-8 (8-5) Huskers is a trip to conference leader Ohio State (21-3, 2-1) on Valentine’s Day. Then comes a game at Purdue (10-13, 3-9) on Saturday February 17th.

How Bout Them Huskers

This week’s podcast episode we honor Nebraska women’s stunning upset of #2 Iowa. We also take a quick look at how the Class of ’24 shapes up for the Husker football program. In addition we have some final thoughts about Sunday’s Super Bowl game and what Husker softball star, Jordy Bahl’s injury might mean for Nebraska.

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