Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin remained in perfect sync throughout their remarkable journey. Together, they anchored the starting lineup for 139 games spanning the past four years. Meanwhile, Gabbie Marshall boasts an impressive 166 career appearances, setting a new record among all Big Ten women’s basketball players.

Together, these three athletes forged an unparalleled legacy, arguably marking the pinnacle of Hawkeye history. This golden era came to a close on Sunday night.

These starters defied expectations, rising like phoenixes from the ashes of doubt that surrounded them at the season’s outset.

Iowa faced off against giants in the sport, toppling the likes of Kim Mulkey and Geno Auriemma, and standing as the sole team in the last two seasons to vanquish South Carolina.

While the absence of a coveted championship stings, it does not define the enduring impact of this team’s legacy.

“Time goes so fast, like it’s crazy. I can’t believe this is my last career game,” Clark said.

“There’s so much to be proud of. People didn’t love us for our wins, I think they loved us for the way we carried ourselves every single day. For the way we played for one another.

The joy we played with, the the passion we played with. The competitive spirit we had. The way we high-fived and celebrated our teammates’ success. That’s the reason people loved tuning in to Iowa women’s basketball.”

“I idolized Iowa women’s basketball,” Martin said. “But it wasn’t like it is now. It is super cool to be a part of. I think our legacy is that we changed women’s basketball in a sense.

It’s just really cool to be associated with that, and I feel super grateful.”

“We’ve been together for so long, we’ve been through it together,” Marshall said.

“The ups and the downs, everything in between. I think just having those moments on and off the court to just build the chemistry between the three of us and Coach Bluder.”