Molly Davis: 18 Points vs Indiana | 1.13.24

IOWA CITY, IA - Iowa vs Indiana
Written by John Bohenkamp | FanNation
It would have been easy to stay at home - the game was televised nationally by FOX. But Caitlin Clark plus national TV plus a big game usually adds up to another show by the Iowa guard, and Clark delivered.
Thirty points, 11 assists, foul trouble, and a fourth-quarter limp that caught everyone’s breath when she left the court and one giant exhale when she quickly came back up the tunnel and checked in at the scorers’ table before coach Lisa Bluder could even find out what happened.
It was another Clark masterpiece and her teammates came along for the ride and that, Indiana coach Teri Moren said, was a problem.
And when it was done, the Hawkeyes were all alone at the top of the conference, with a notch in the tiebreaker with the defending regular-season champion and one of the biggest challengers for this season’s crown.
Still, Bluder marveled at the packed house on a night when the local authorities were suggesting to stay off the roads as the snow from the night before was flying anywhere and everywhere.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it that loud in Carver,” said Bluder, which is a bold statement considering some of the more raucous nights during Clark’s three-plus seasons of brilliance. “So thankful - we’re not supposed to be outside because of the wind chill and we have 14,000 people here.”
Bluder expected a decent crowd.
“But I don’t know if I expected this,” Bluder said. “I mean, it’s dangerous outside and our fans don’t care.”
“Savages,” Clark muttered with a smile of admiration.
Clark was 10-of-21 from the field, 6-of-16 in 3-pointers on a night when she missed her first six shots behind the arc. It was the 52nd double-double of her career, her 46th career game of 30 or more points.
“She almost is best in the big moments,” Bluder said. “I mean, she really is.”
Moments are moments, Clark said.
“I think I enjoy being in these moments, enjoying these moments,” she said.
It was her 3-pointer right before the halftime buzzer that gave Iowa a 43-37 lead. It was her layup that started the 11-2 run to open the second half, a stretch capped by back-to-back possessions of a Clark 3-pointer and then her assist on a Gabbie Marshall three.
The Hoosiers were staggered.
“Caitlin hits the three that put them up six (at halftime),” Moren said. “We were turning the ball over too much (in the first half), but we were still in the game. And then we come out and give her the backdoor layup and we’re down (eight) and then it got out of our control.”
It wasn’t just a Clark stat-stuffing night. Molly Davis had 18 points, including seven points in the second-quarter stretch when Clark was out after getting her second foul. Marshall had 12 points, and Kate Martin added 10 points to go with 12 rebounds.
“You know that Cait’s probably going to get our average, but you don't want to let those other guys have big nights and unfortunately, we let too many of them have their way with us,” Moren said.
For Bluder, it was about defense. The Hawkeyes held the Hoosiers to 20 second-half points, but it was not about any defensive adjustments made at halftime.
“That second half, I thought, was beautiful,” Bluder said. “I thought our players really played well together. defensively and offensively. I think everyone knows what this team can do offensively, but tonight they did the job defensively as well.”
Bluder knows there’s a big chunk of the Big Ten schedule remaining, but she also knew what Saturday night meant.
“I think we all feel really good about the way we're playing,” said Bluder. “The culture of our program, everybody's attention to detail is really good. I think the sky's the limit.”

[@tracyelsinger1088]

Molly Davis was a really good scorer at Central Michigan, but she came to Iowa knowing she would have a reduced role in the offense. But she can definitely put up points when necessary. She's the definition of a team player. Nice to see her finally get some attention.

[@davidd5712]

Looks like she’s blending in and adding a valuable role rounding out the team

[@me5768]

She’s definitely one of the unsung heroes on the team

[@latoursharenetteezell2020]

I totally agree 🏀👏

[@skweetis]

Heart. Hustle. Headband.

[@pmel8759]

Nice 😂

[@rickschlee5807]

HAWKEYE !!! ❤

[@Roadkill515]

Molly is definitely a key piece for Iowa. I think Indiana believed they'd cut into lead with Caitlin on the bench. Molly said, "Hold my beer." I'll show you something.

[@pmel8759]

Davis is a joy to watch

[@trhansen3244]

Nothing against her but I do wonder why so many of the players at Iowa are white. Is this something Congress should look into I wonder?

[@Michael-of6zf]

Molly had several games with 30+ points in central michigan, she also has over 1,400 career points. She literally took a back seat when she came to Iowa.

[@user-bp7vi6de2l]

I'd say by the way she's playing. She took the passenger seat next to CC.

[@michaeldwight3212]

Molly is a very valuable player for Iowa. A starter

[@matthewreese3907]

Pretty sure this is her career high at Iowa. I believe she had some higher scoring games when she played for Central Michigan. Love the continuous hard work! It’s greatly appreciated!

[@WomensBasketballAlliance]

You're right, she scored 32 twice at Central Michigan!! Appreciate the heads up!!

[@ericlietsch994]

Amazing player.

[@RichardIILionheart]

Molly was never this aggressive toward the basket last season. I watched a video from one of her games at Central Michigan and this is how she played in that game.

[@juwanholley5066]

Good to see a former fellow Chippewa doing her thing on a bigger stage. She use to ball at Central Michigan!🔥🔥👏🎉

[@VeraxMusic]

1:40 that was smooth af

[@rkbllc]

15,000 fans during a blizzard.

[@KelzKelz]

Thanks for highlighting another Iowa player besides Clark.

[@williamh1973]

Mad Dawg, Molly Davis. Finally showing her true glow.

[@michaelashton4050]

Loved your game Molly “D”!!!❤🎉 AWESOME!!!!’

[@user-yz5zk5mk5s]

Keep the confidence Molly! Teams were hoping that getting Caitlin in foul trouble would shut down Iowa flow of offense. Your creativity within the offense will cause them A LOT of problems. It also builds SOOOO much confidence for your teammates to keep moving and creating with/without Caitlin on the floor. Go Syndey! Keep working hard.

[@Debbie2712]

She is great. Glad she is having a good year!

[@paulharbron8439]

I think if Martin and Marshall can let Molly rise to #2 along with Stuelke as #3 as primary scorers, this team wins the National Championship

[@jordan12118]

Molly is one of my favorite players in the country

[@BenjaminGarciateknospy]

She played like Indiana showed no interest when she was in high school

[@iconiaman]

The three or the teardrop runner. She's amazing

[@harrycojones4273]

Go Blue 👍

[@davidmaynard2408]

The "unsinkable" Molly Davis!

[@lorisharpe]

👏👏👏👏

[@chessmentor63]

I love Molly D. She looks even shorter than she is in the thumbnail, because she's crouching down and the opponent is jumping. I hope she still plays pickup with her roomie AJ Ediger.

[@latoursharenetteezell2020]

I hope the WNBA expansion is very soon. These young ladies are super talented and will be just as awesome in the league

[@Flowshow88]

About time the LOGOAT has some backup 🙅🏻‍♂️

[@bondwin7025]

M Davis has madddddddd game 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀! Let's go Lady Hawks 💛 💪.

[@jc2333]

I call her lil penny hardaway

[@iowamagicman]

They need to let her loose for a game just so everyone knows she can

[@jackmatheson4671]

Always love to see the smallest player on the court dominate!