By Susan Harman

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa looked like it was shot out of cannon to start its game against Ohio State, and despite the Buckeyes’ relentless pursuit, that first-quarter told the tale. Iowa took home a 93-83 victory Sunday before a full-throated, highly partisan, full house at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“Wow, this was an unbelievable day; one that I know I’ll remember for a long time,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “Our five seniors, I’m just so proud of them and what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve built this program to be.”

“Our fans were incredible,” All American Caitlin Clark said. “It kind of feels like you’re living in a little bit of a delusion because it’s so awesome.”

The victory gives Iowa (26-4, 15-3) the second seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Indiana (24-4, 15-3) will be the third seed. Nebraska’s one-point loss to Illinois Sunday gave Michigan State (22-7, 12-6) the four seed with the double bye. Ohio State (25-4, 16-2) is the top seed and the regular-season champion.

The Hawkeyes tapped into the energy of the crowd here to celebrate Senior Day and avenge a previous loss to the Buckeyes. Midway through the first quarter Iowa scored on seven consecutive possessions for a 25-10 lead. The transition game was rolling, and the Hawkeyes even got layups off OSU’s full-court press. They finished with 19 fastbreak points.

The 28-19 first-quarter margin gave Iowa something to work with, and even though the Buckeyes cut the lead to two in the third quarter, Iowa held them at bay.

Iowa employed a zone defense for the majority of the game, and OSU had one of its best 3-point performances against it. The Buckeyes made 14-of-30 threes (.467). Jacy Sheldon and Rebecca Mikulasikova each made four 3-pointers. But what the zone did was make it hard for the Bucks to get it inside consistently. Cotie McMahon, who decimated Iowa’s defense in Columbus, was held to 10 points.

Iowa out-rebounded Ohio State by seven and had 11 offensive rebounds. Hannah Stuelke had six offensive rebounds on her own and nine overall. Iowa outscored OSU in the paint 42-28.

“We gave up too many boards to them at their place,” Bluder said. “We did a much better job.”

Stuelke, who scored 23 points, drew a game-high nine fouls.

“I think it was really important to come out like that,” she said. “My teammates are really good at getting me the ball. Drawing fouls is really fun.

“Going up against people who are at the top of the league, it’s making me better. It’s making them better. That’s what we all want out of basketball.”

Senior guard Molly Davis suffered a knee injury with 6:39 left in the second quarter. It happened when she stole an inbound pass and her knee just buckled.

Davis had to be carried off the floor and didn’t return until the post-game Senior Day celebration when she was in a wheel chair. Bluder said she would know more Monday about Davis’s status.

“Molly is somebody that gives so much and plays so hard you just want to do it for her,” Clark said when asked the team’s reaction. “So it almost gives you energy in a way.”

“That was tough,” Bluder said. “Anytime that happens, our team is so close that it’s hard emotionally to regain your focus. I’m really proud of Kylie and Syd and how well they’re playing and taking up the slack. Molly’s given us so much this year, and we really need her.”

Sydney Affolter and Kylie Feuerbach played extra minutes in Davis’s absence and were very good. Feuerbach was a particular pest with a career-high four steals.

 “Kylie does such a great job of anticipating, keeping her hands high,” Bluder said. “She was in the front of our zone, and she did a really good job with that, anticipating and getting a hand on it. We always say deflections lead to steals.”

“I love that Kylie was getting her hands on so many with four steals,” Stuelke said. “She’s always been a really great athlete, so I’m glad everybody gets to see that.”

Offensively, Clark scored 35 and broke Pete Maravich’s college scoring record with a free throw at the end of the first half. Her childhood idol, Maya Moore, was a surprise guest as was former AIAW record holder Lynette Woodard.

When OSU got within two in third quarter after a Mikulasikova three you-know-who answered with a step-back three over Sheldon’s head. A couple plays later Gabbie Marshall hit a three, and Iowa was flying again.

“When they went on their runs I thought we always had a response,” Clark said. “I felt like we played a very dominant basketball game. It felt like we were in control of the game the entire time.”

Marshall had four 3-pointers, Kate Martin had nine rebounds and 11 points, all in the second half. Affolter finished with six points and seven rebounds.

Sheldon led OSU with 24 points and nine assists. Four other OSU players were in double figures.

The whole day, with ESPN’s College Game Day broadcasting for one hour, big recruits in the house, and some “celebrities” in attendance was a fitting climax for Iowa’s regular season. It was a festive, rowdy circus-like atmosphere, but give Iowa credit for having the endurance, the maturity and the skill to get through the pressure of such a high-profile event and get the victory.

“I think that more than anything it’s just good momentum for our team going into the Big Ten Tournament,” Clark said. “Building off this is really important.”

Iowa will play at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Target Center in Minneapolis in a quarterfinal game.