Iowa women’s basketball continued its scorching start to the season by improving to 5-0 following Wednesday night’s 71-58 victory vs. the Kansas Jayhawks (4-1) from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Offensively, the Hawkeyes shot 25-for-55 (45.5%) from the field, including 8-for-21 from 3-point territory. Iowa also converted on 13-of-18 (72.2%) of their free throw attempts. While a low-scoring affair, the Hawkeyes were still able to outscore the Jayhawks 34-18 from the pained area.
Unlike most of their previous four games, the Hawkeyes relied heavily on their defensive play against Kansas by holding the Jayhawks to 19-for-52 (36.5%) from the field and 7-for-21 (33.3%) from beyond the arc.
Iowa also forced 16 turnovers, which the Hawkeyes were able to convert into seven points on the night.
Wednesday’s victory makes Jan Jensen the second head coach in program history to start their Iowa tenure 5-0, joining Angie Lee, who started 7-0 in 1995-96.
As the Hawkeyes continue to stay hot to start the year, here are the three stars that helped lead the team to another victory.
Lucy Olsen
Olsen shared the team lead in points Wednesday night by finishing with 16 points on 5-of-11 (45.5%) from the field, including 3-for-5 (60%) from deep. Olsen also converted on 3-of-4 (75%) free throw attempts. The senior guard collected six additional assists and three rebounds in her 36:26 of playing time.
While the senior’s offensive showing should be expected, it is always well-appreciated, especially in a low-scoring but competitive game like it was against Kansas.
Hannah Stuelke
Stuelke, who co-led the team in scoring alongside Lucy Olsen, finished with her fifth-career double-double after collecting ten rebounds to pair with her 16 points scored. Stuelke also managed to add four assists throughout the game as well.
The junior forward shot 6-for-12 (50%) from the field and converted 4-of-5 (80%) from the charity stripe in her 32:45 of game action.
Similar to Olsen, the contribution from Stuelke should not come as a surprise to Iowa fans but is always a luxury to have available.
Kylie Feuerbach
While Feuerbach wasn’t necessarily a large factor offensively, as she scored five points off 2-for-7 from the field and 1-for-3 from the free throw line in 26:54 of game time, she was a leader defensively Wednesday night.
Feuerbach led the team in steals with three takeaways, which helped the Hawkeyes thwart the Jawhawk offensive attack throughout the contest.
With the Hawkeyes’ defensive effort able to secure the victory Wednesday night, Feurerbach’s actions should not go unnoticed.
Next for the Hawkeyes is a return home to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where they will have a matchup vs. Washington State (2-2) on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. The game will be telecast on the Big Ten Network alongside the radio broadcast from the Hawkeye Radio Network.
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