Iowa Women Rout Kentucky In 2nd Round Of NCAA Tournament [PHOTOS]

[UPDATE 3/25 11:30 AM] Iowa's Sweet 16 game against Connecticut will tip-off Saturday, March 27 at noon on ABC.

[ORIGINAL STORY] IMPRESSIVE. Yes all caps, on purpose. Impressive is the perfect word to describe Iowa's second round NCAA Tournament game today against the Kentucky Wildcats. Iowa jumped out to an early 11-0 lead and cruised to the 86-72 win, in a game where the final score was not indicative of just how much Iowa controlled it. The Hawks are back in the Sweet 16, after an amazing effort, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark showed why, in my opinion, she should be in the discussion for national college player of the year. The fact she's not a finalist is ridiculous. Clark led an Iowa offense that was in control of the game from start to finish. She torched the nets for 35 points, four short of her career high, and the most points scored in the women's tournament so far this season, according to ESPN. It's also the most points ever scored by an Iowa player in the NCAA Tournament. Clark was 6 for 12 from 3-point range. The Iowa Sports Information Department says it's the most three-pointers ever made by a Hawkeye in an NCAA Tournament game. Clark also had 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. Good heavens, she's a freshman. If you haven't seen her play, do yourself a favor and watch Iowa in the Sweet 16.

Iowa junior Monika Czinano and sophomore McKenna Warnock were both in double figures with 14 and 10, respectively. Just as importantly, they each pulled down 8 rebounds. The other two starters, Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin, chipped in 8 and 6. Martin also had 7 boards. Off the bench, Tomi Taiwo had 7, Sharon Goodman added 4, and Shateah Wetering had 2. Iowa shot 57 percent from the field for the game.

Iowa will play #1 seed Connecticut sometime on Saturday.

The Iowa State women's basketball team defeated Michigan State in the opening round last night, 79-75. Up next for the 7th-seeded Cyclones is a Wednesday game against #2 seed Texas A&M. The game tips at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.