In close games, just one play can make a world of difference. During Iowa women’s basketball’s win on Thursday over Northern Alabama, freshman Gabbie Marshall had plenty of those from the three-point line.

With the Hawkeyes down 28-23 midway through the second quarter, the Ohio native splashed a deep three to get Iowa within striking distance. After the bucket, the Hawkeyes stayed with North Alabama before taking the lead into the break.

Marshall’s second big three was another morale boosting moment. Up by just one and with momentum fading quickly, Marshall hit another clutch three to give Iowa a four-point cushion and getting the fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena back on their feet.

Marshall was not done yet, and with just over one minute left in the game, the freshman stayed calm under pressure by hitting what was arguably the game-clinching shot.

“I’ve been in moments like that before,” Marshall said. “My team has been to state a couple of times in close games, but my teammates did a great job setting me up.”

In Marshall’s first start of her young college career, she was consistent and reliable in what ended up being a high-pressure game against an experienced North Alabama side with five senior starters.

Marshall hit an early three, something that senior Makenzie Meyer says makes a world of difference for a player’s confidence.

“I was ready to see a three fall, and once I saw that lid come off the hoop, I felt a lot better,” Meyer said.

Marshall finished Thursday’s game with 13 points, shooting 5-of-8 overall and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. The freshman also contributed three assists and played just over 31 minutes.

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Marshall showed the poise of an upperclassman throughout the game, stepping in for the injured Alexis Sevillian. If she continues to prove she is a clutch and reliable player, then this could be just the start of an impressive campaign.

“It’s just another game,” Marshall said. “Just tried to take my time and know that we were down a couple of players and do whatever I could to fill that gap.”

Marshall has had plenty of big-game experience at the high school level with Mount Notre Dame. Her alma mater won the Ohio state championship her sophomore and senior year, with Marshall being a big part of the success. She has shot over 50 percent from three her junior year and maintained at least a 40 percent shooting percentage every year.

The Cincinnati native has also earned McDonald’s All-American honors among others, including All-State and All-Conference in three of her four seasons. Despite being a regular for her high school team, getting her name called in the starting lineup for the first time at Carver-Hawkeye was a special moment for her.

“In high school you start, but it’s different in college,” she said. “My teammates supported me and encouraged me, because I knew I was a little nervous starting, but it was a great experience.”

Marshall has played in the two games prior this season, including an 11-point effort against Florida Atlantic in the regular-season opener. With an emphasis on three-point shooting and guard-oriented play, she may be the piece that the team is looking for.

“I have high aspirations for Gabbie,” head coach Lisa Bluder said. “We really need her to get some great minutes, because she’s the point guard for next year.”