Iowa's Caitlin Clark lights up Purdue women's basketball with triple-double

WEST LAFAYETTE — Caitlin Clark mania hit in a way no other women's basketball icon had ever done in the history of Mackey Arena.

A mix of Boilermaker and Hawkeye yellow and black was treated to an impressive performance by the most recognizable women's college basketball player.

The reigning National Player of the Year sank her first two 3-pointers of the night and finished with a game-high 26 points to lead No. 3 ranked Iowa over Purdue, 96-71, in front of a record-tying 14,876 in attendance. It's only the fourth sellout in the history of the Purdue women.

More:Where does Caitlin Clark rank among top women's players to visit Purdue's Mackey Arena?

And any doubt of whether Clark could shoot the ball effectively at Mackey Arena was quickly put to rest, having gone 0-for-6 from 3-point range the only other time she played in West Lafayette on Jan. 13, 2023. In fact, Mackey Arena had been the only arena Clark played in that she hadn't hit a 3-pointer.

That's no longer the case. as she hit six Wednesday in 14 attempts

Purdue (9-6, 2-2 Big Ten Conference), like many other teams before, struggled to contain Clark's shot, change of speed and vision to see the floor and find the open teammate. Clark finished with a triple-double with 10 rebounds and 10 assists to go with her 26 points. She received plenty of help in the process.

Sydney Affolter scored 14 points, Kate Martin added 15 points and center Hannah Stuelke had 10 to go with six rebounds for Big Ten-leading Iowa (15-1, 5-0)

"I have four other people on the court with me at the same time and I have 10 girls on the bench. I know some nights are not going to be my night and I have to rely on them to win basketball games," Clark said. "I don't have to score a million points to win basketball games every single night. I find peace in that and I'm having fun being Caitlin. That's when things are really successful for myself and for my team."

The predicted future first overall pick in the WNBA draft Clark delivered a behind-the-back pass assist to Stuelke with 8:09 in the second quarter that delighted the Clark adorers and Iowa fans.

Purdue stayed with Iowa in the first half, building an 11-8 lead with 6:20 in the first quarter after a jumper from Madison Layden. Then Clark and Iowa collectively spread Purdue's defense thin.

Clark in isolation. Clark being double-teamed in corners. Guarding her by committee with Madison Layden, Jayla Smith, Abbey Ellis and Rashunda Jones? None of the pressure by Purdue phased Clark.

Purdue women's basketball:Caitlin Clark's history vs. Purdue, and what she hasn't done at Mackey Arena

Affolter, Martin and Stuelke kept their hands ready for Clark's passes and shot effectively. Iowa went 53.2% from the floor.

Purdue senior guard Abbey Ellis led Purdue with 15 points, point guard Jeanae Terry scored 10 points and was efficient scoring, going 5 of 9 from the floor. Madison Layden scored 10 points and Caitlyn Harper added 13 points.

"(Caitlin) is so talented, she has so many weapons and she's a three-level scorer," Ellis said. "We had a game plan and I think we stuck to it a majority of the time. She just hit some great shots and she's a great players. She was going to get hers but it's the other teammates that hurt us in the end."

Purdue head coach Katie Gearlds voiced her displeasure with how her team closed final 5:09 of the fourth quarter with Iowa ending the game on a 16-6 run.

"There's six letters on our chest that we have to play for, for 40 minutes," Gearlds said. "And if it takes 45 or 50 minutes or whatever it is the six letters on our chest or 45 or 50 minutes, that's what we have to do. We have to play hard for that."

Ellis and Iowa's output was too much for the Boilermakers who saw their 3-game winning streak come to a halt.

Caitlin Clark Effect:Mackey Arena sold out for 4th time in Purdue women's basketball history

Clark postgame was showered by dozens of girls who wore her No. 22 jersey and held signs. Clark shared how she has maintained a calm energy even as her fame has risen to icon status.

"The environments don't really bother me that much and that speaks to my fourth year in college," Clark said. "The story is a little bit different if this was my second year. I just have enough experience in games but this also isn't an individual sport."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.