Caitlin Clark pumps up crowd, signs autographs in final home game of Iowa career vs. West Virginia

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David Suggs
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Caitlin Clark's career at Carver-Hawkeye Arena came to a close on Monday with the Iowa superstar capturing a victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament against No. 8 West Virginia.

It was a moody affair, one filled with plenty of theatrics throughout. The Hawkeyes struggled to find much of a rhythm under the crunch of the Mountaineers defense. All of that amounted to a challenging day at the office for Clark and Co. Lisa Bluder's side only scored 64 points on the night, its second-lowest total of the year.

Ultimately, though, Clark did enough. She poured in 32 points to propel the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16. A great many of them came on highlight-reel buckets, namely three-pointers from the parking lot. It wasn't the most efficient of performances for the soon-to-be No. 1 pick, as she hit just eight of her 22 shots on Monday, but Iowa needed every bit of Clark's production to vanquish its upstart foe.

Legions of black-and-yellow unleashed their emotions as they attempted to serenade their beloved superstar on her way off the floor, and although Monday's affair was far from a classic, it proved a memorable night for Clark and her comrades — both those on the floor and those watching along from the stands.

Here's what you need to know about Clark's shining moment at her favorite home court.

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Caitlin Clark stats vs. West Virginia

Clark bid adieu to the Iowa cornfields with a 32-point, eight-rebound, three-assist display vs. the Mountaineers. She added an additional two steals on the night and turned the ball over six times.

Clark was far from her best as the game wore on, specifically in the final quarter, where she was unable to find the nylon except on free throw attempts. Nevertheless, everything the Hawkeyes built sprang from her, from stepback jump shots to wide-open looks at the rim for her teammates.

MORE: Twitter reacts to Iowa's free throw advantage vs. West Virginia

The crowd watched on in anticipation, its excitement palpable from the opening salvo. The jaundiced yellow-and-black raptures partied prior to Monday's clash. When Clark took to the floor, they shrouded her in a wall of sound.

That wasn't the last time Carver would erupt at the sight of Clark's presence. She tended to evoke such a reaction more times than most, especially after dropping a trio of contested threes in the first quarter.

Clark continued to egg on her longtime supporters, calling upon them to raise their intensity level as the minutes dwindled down. They did not disappoint, especially once the Hawkeyes confirmed their spot in the next round.

“I think we used our crowd,” Clark said. “We knew we gave up a run to start the quarter but this team was never flustered. I think that speaks to our experience. Couldn’t be happier for this group. We wanted to go out on a high note for our five seniors… It’s just really special. Proud of them.”

Clark gave the crowd one more fist pump before slipping into the crater of reporters and media personnel that surrounded her on the floor. It was an emotional sight for those who have followed her career with vested interest since she arrived in Des Moines.

Once the game concluded, Clark left a further mark. She tossed her ball into the stands, ostensibly into the hands of a family member or team personnel hoping to guard it for safekeeping.

She then gave a final salute to her longtime fanatics. Her parents looked more than pleased as she did so.

Clark was hounded by reporters post-game, but before attending to their every need, she made sure to make a detour and gift some autographs to those waiting in in the wings. 

It was a coronation fit for royalty. Clark certainly fits the bill, having taken her hometown teams to heights it could have only dreamed of in years past.

“I know I’ve given everything to this program,” Clark said in a postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “There is a lot to be proud of. There were a lot of highs, a lot of lows. That’s what makes these moments so special. And I’m just thankful, I’m grateful. Just going to soak this in.”

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David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.