IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s basketball team kicked off their season with a commanding win against Missouri Western, 110-55 in an exhibition at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night. It was head coach Jan Jensen’s first game at the helm.
The Hawkeyes jumped to an early lead, ending the first quarter with a 33-14 advantage. Key contributions came from Stuelke, who scored seven points in the first quarter alone, followed by Olsen with six, and Feuerbach, who added three points and three rebounds.
The second quarter saw Iowa continue to dominate, extending their lead to 57-26 by halftime. Olsen scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in the first half. The Hawkeyes’ defense was equally impressive, forcing six turnovers and limiting Missouri Western’s scoring to 12 points in the second period. Iowa allowed one two point field in the first 20 minutes of action.
The second half was more of the same as Iowa maintained their intensity. The third quarter ended with Iowa leading 84-42, thanks to a strong performance from Mallegni, who scored 9 points in the quarter. The Hawkeyes’ bench also played a significant role, contributing 48 points overall.
In the final quarter, Iowa continued to apply pressure, closing out the game with a 26-13 run. The Hawkeyes shot 83.9 percent from the line with all available players contributing to the stat sheet. Senior Addison O’Grady added eight points and two rebounds, and Taylor McCabe downed two threes tallying eight points and four assists in her first career start.
POSTGAME NOTES
– Junior Hannah Stuelke recorded 18 points, a team-high seven free throws, and five rebounds.
– Lucy Olsen dished out a team-best six assists and scored 14 points in her debut as a Hawkeye.
– Freshmen Ava Heiden, Teagan Mallegni and Taylor Stremlow combined for 34 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists.
– Stremlow led the Hawkeyes with nine rebounds.
– Mallegni shot 50 percent from deep (4-9) and netted 18 points.
– Kylie Feuerbach scored 14 on 5-of-7 from the field and recorded seven rebounds and two steals.
– Iowa had five players register double figures. (Feuerbach, Heiden, Olsen, Mallegni and Stuelke)
– Tonight’s game marks the second exhibition sellout in Iowa women’s basketball history. (14,998)
– It is the largest crowd in program history for an exhibition game.
– Iowa is 2-0 all-time in exhibitions against Missouri Western. (2007)
– The Hawkeye defense held Missouri Western scoreless for the last 3:40 of the first quarter. Iowa went on a 13-0 run during that span making 7-of-9 field goal attempts.
– Seven different Hawkeyes scored in the first period.
– Iowa shot 40 percent (4-10) from three-point land in the first quarter.
– Olsen was the only player in double figures at halftime with 11 points, four assists, and four rebounds.
– UI led 57-26, at the break connecting on nine 3-pointers. (9-20)
– Six players had six or more points at halftime.
– Tonight’s contest never saw a tie or lead change, the Hawkeyes were in control for all 40 minutes.
– Iowa had 20 assists on 36 field goals.
– The Hawkeyes held Missouri Western to 24.2 percent from the field in the first half. (8-33)
– Iowa allowed one two-point field goal in the first 20 minutes of action.
– All active players scored in the game.
QUOTING SUE P. BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH JAN JENSEN
“I worked with the best in my opinion—not just the best coach, but the best person. I am grateful to have a team that did what they should’ve done tonight. It’ll be a different feeling when the games count, and when we start playing our caliber of players, but I’m grateful to have this win. Personally, it’s huge, and it’s everything I wanted so many years ago. Thanks to my great boss, Beth Goetz, and Barbara Wilson. I’m so thankful, and the players did such a great job tonight.”
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UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes open the regular season Nov. 6, hosting Northern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The contest will stream on B1G+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.