On Sunday, May 4, the Indiana Fever played an exhibition game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Despite being an exhibition, the stadium was jam-packed with Iowa fans welcoming back Fever star, and Iowa Hawkeye legend, Caitlin Clark. The Fever played against the Brazil national team, and Clark and the rest of the Fever put on a show for the sold-out crowd. They defeated the Brazil national team in dominating fashion, 108-44.
In proper fashion, Clark scored the first basket of the game from long range, and the Fever came out the gates with an 8-0 run. The Brazil national team responded with a run of their own, and it was 10-9 in favor of the Fever with six minutes left in the first quarter. It was at this point that the Fever really got things going, closing out the rest of the quarter on a 27-8 run. They led at the end of the first, 37-17. The Fever did not let up in the second quarter, as they continued their incredible run. The whole second quarter they were able to shut down the Brazil offense, while also staying hot on the offensive side of the court. They gave up seven points, and scored 33 of their own. At halftime, it was a lopsided lead for the Fever, 70-24.
By the start of the second half, the Brazil national team was going to need a miracle to get back in the game. They played the Fever a bit tougher, having the closest quarter of the game in the third, but there was no chance for a comeback. It was also in the third quarter when Clark made a shot from behind her iconic NCAA record breaking spot on the floor, sending the entire crowd into a frenzy. After three, the score was 90-35. With the game well in hand in the fourth quarter, the Fever were able to coast to an easy victory. When the final buzzer sounded, it was 108-44.
It was a warm welcome home for Clark, who put up a solid performance in front of her former hometown crowd. She put up 16 points, six rebounds and dished out five assists. Clark and the rest of the Fever will be back in action on May 17, when the WNBA regular season gets underway. They open up the season with a matchup against the Chicago Sky.
