Caitlin Clark, Iowa vs. Holy Cross score and live updates: Hawkeyes secure first-round win in NCAA Women’s Tournament.

Iowa defeats Holy Cross 91-65

Caitlin Clark and top-seeded Iowa didn’t bring their best game, but they didn’t need it.

The Hawkeyes overcame a slow start to defeat the 16th-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders 91-65 on Saturday in Iowa City, moving on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa will play the winner of West Virginia and Princeton at 8 p.m. ET on Monday.

That game will be televised on ESPN.

Holy Cross, which won a First Four game on Thursday, frustrated Clark and the Hawkeyes, especially early.

The Crusaders trailed by just two points after one quarter. But ultimately, their shooting (32.4 percent) could not keep them in the game against an Iowa team that shared the basketball.

Clark finished just 8-of-19 from the field and 3-of-9 from 3-point range, but still managed 27 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

She also had six turnovers, including four in the early going.

Kate Martin added 15 points and 14 rebounds. Addison O’Grady had 14 off the bench.