After a slow start by Caitlin Clark against Holy Cross, the Iowa Hawkeyes managed to get another win against West Virginia in the second round of 2024 March Madness. Despite the dub, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard criticized the officiating done during the said game.
In that game, the Hawkeyes got the 64-54 win over West Virginia as Clark led all players in scoring by posting 32 points. Sydney Affolter added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Hannah Stuelke contirbuted a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Mountaineers, on the other hand, had JJ Quinerly tally 15 points to lead her team. Kyah Watson posted 13 points and Jayla Hemingway came off the bench with 10 points as West Virginia exits the NCAA tournament in the second round. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes are scheduled to face Colorado in the Sweet 16 phase of the NCAA Tournament.
But before they went home with the win, the two teams were tied with around two minutes left in the game. from there, Iowa went on a 12-2 run that sealed the deal for the Clark-led squad. Those in attendance and viewers who caught the game on broadcast suspected officials had a hand in helping the Hawkeyes win.
Damian Lillard Dropped Criticized Referees Who Officiated Caitlin Clark and Iowa Hawkeyes Against West Virginia
Despite West Virginia employing an intense physical defense on Clark, it seemed the plan backfired as officials gave the Hawkeyes more chances to score from the free throw line. Among those who have shared their thoughts about the officiating in that game was Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard. In a post on the All-Star’s X account:
“I feel like West Virginia women’s team getting did bad by these refs,” Lillard tweeted.
During the game’s final two minutes, a total of six fouls were called on West Virginia. All in all, the Mountaineers were called a total of 27 fouls, as compared to the Hawkeyes’ 11 in their own home court. Add the fact that these calls resulted in 25 points from the free throw line, as compared to West Virginia’s five attempts from the foul line, and many people will think Lillard is right.
It remains to be seen whether the NCAA will take action on this questionable approach on officiating. What’s certain, though, is that the Hawkeyes still have a long way to go before the win the championship. With several more games before the reach the Finals, expect a lot of eyes to be on Clark and Iowa to see if the former’s season can be topped off with a title.
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