IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s basketball team kicked off their regular season with a 91-73, victory over Northern Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday night. This game was the first under the leadership of new head coach Jan Jensen, and senior Kylie Feuerbach was a standout, recording career-highs in 3-pointers made, 3-point attempts, rebounds, and steals.
Iowa began the game with a balanced attack, ending the first quarter narrowly ahead at 15-14. Junior Taylor McCabe notched a pair of three-pointers which gave Iowa the early edge. In the second quarter, Iowa continued their strong performance, outscoring Northern Illinois, 30-20. Iowa showcased efficient shooting, hitting 70.6% of their field goals (12-17) and 50% of their three-pointers (4-8). Feuerbach led Iowa’s offense in the quarter with eight points, including two three-pointers, while senior Lucy Olsen added seven points.
Iowa’s momentum continued into the third quarter, with strong inside play from Addi O’Grady and Hannah Stuelke. The post duo combined for 23 points, dominating the paint and pulling down rebounds that limited NIU’s second-chance opportunities. Iowa’s defensive pressure forced multiple turnovers, leading to an 11-point advantage in points off turnovers. By the end of the third quarter, Iowa held a commanding, 72-52 lead.
In the final quarter, Iowa maintained control, adding 19 more points and keeping NIU at bay. Contributions from both starters and bench players, including Teagan Mallegni, who added 14 points in her freshman debut. Six players scored in double digits.
POSTGAME NOTES
– P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen picked up her first career win over Northern Illinois.
– Jensen is the third coach in program history to win her first career game at Iowa, joining Lisa Bluder and Angie Lee. All five starters for Iowa netted 10+ points.
– Kylie Feuerbach registered 14 points (4-9 FG), nine rebounds, six steals, and five assists.
– Feuerbach recorded career-highs in 3-pointers made, 3-point attempts, rebounds and steals.
– Feuerbach joins Chase Coley as the only Hawkeye since 2009 to record 10+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ steals, and 5+ rebounds in a single game.
– Since 2020, only six Hawkeyes have made four or more 3-pointers inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in a single game.
– Since 2009, only eight other Hawkeyes have record six or more steals in a single game.
– Lucy Olsen recorded the most points by a transfer in their Hawkeye debut. (19)
– Feuerbach led all scorers with 11 points, five rebounds and four steals at halftime.
– Teagan Mallegni recorded 14 points (6-10 FG) which is the most by a true freshman in their debut since Caitlin Clark in 2020 against Northern Iowa.
– Taylor Stremlow joined Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin as the only guards since 2020 to record three blocks in a single game.
– Iowa had six players register double figures.
– Tonight’s game marks the second season opening sellout in Iowa women’s basketball history. (14,998)
– Iowa has won 25 consecutive season openers dating back to Nov. 17, 2000.
– Iowa’s record when scoring 80+ points is 93-14 since 2020.
– Iowa is 72-24 when record 20+ assists in a single game since the beginning of the 2020-21 season.
– Iowa had 22 assists on 37 field goals.
– Iowa improved to 8-5 all-time against NIU.
– The Hawkeyes have beaten the Huskies in four straight contests dating back to 2007.
QUOTING SUE P. BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH JAN JENSEN
“It’s nice to get that one. This program is very special to me and to start with a win was important. I’m proud of how are our team really buckled down after a slowish start. We have a ton of depth and the challenge is finding the correct combination.”
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UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will square off with Virginia Tech on Sunday in the Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 4:30 p.m. (CT). The contest will broadcast on ESPN2 and the Hawkeye Radio Network.