IOWA CITY, Iowa– It wasn’t easy, but the Hawkeyes avoided the scare in Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a 92-86 win over Northern Iowa.
Iowa was hot out of the gates. A Lucy Olsen mid-range, a Sydney Affolter three and a Hannah Stuelke put-back helped them get off to a quick 7-2 lead in the first two minutes. A Taylor McCabe three-pointer would push the Hawkeye lead 12-6 with 5:58 remaining.
Freshman Taylor Stremlow has become a fan favorite for her intensity on the court and willingness to do whatever it takes. Northern Iowa pushed on a 2-on-1 transition break and Stremlow halted the break while sparking the Hawkeyes. Freshman Aaliyah Guyton followed that up with a three-pointer of her own as Iowa pushed out to a double-digit lead.
The Hawkeye defense had as productive of a start as you could have asked. They were giving nothing easy at the rim and the Panthers couldn’t buy anything from outside. Iowa’s length on the perimeter was frustrating them while they weren’t moving an inch inside. They managed to hold a 23-12 lead through the first 10 minutes.
Iowa wasted no time in the second quarter to pile on the Panthers. The Hawkeyes started to use their size to their advantage to get some easy layups. An Olsen three-pointer pushed Iowa’s lead to 18 and forced a UNI timeout with 7:46 remaining in the first half.
UNI forced a couple of Iowa defensive stops and got a couple tough jumpers on the other end to cut things back within 12 at the under-five minute mark. McCabe responded with a three of her own and then the Addi O’Grady show began. The 6-foot-4 senior post recorded some easy layups to get 12 points in the quarter and steady things out.
Iowa won the battle of the boards through the first 20 minutes (23-13) and only turned the ball over four times. They managed to hold onto a 53-37 lead at the half.
The scoring fest carried over into the second half. UNI’s Kayba Laube scorched Iowa from three-point range, especially in the fast-break. Between her and Maya McDermott, they managed to cut Iowa’s lead back to 10 in the early part of the third quarter. The Panthers came out with more energy, hustle and executed on both ends of the floor.
A Shateah Wetering lay-up and the foul cut Iowa’s lead to single-digits. Laube crushed Iowa from deep on the following possession as she splashed one from Caitlin Clark range. Stuelke, who had been Iowa’s best all-around player to that point, demanded the ball inside after Iowa went to a four-guard lineup. She responded with some big free throws and kicked it out to McCabe for her fourth three of the evening.
McDermott and Laube combined for 36 points in the first three quarters to put them within eight going into the final period. After getting within five, Iowa went back to O’Grady, who made a couple of big buckets.
The Hawkeyes are normally the team that get out in the fast break and rattle opponents, but that’s exactly what UNI did. The Panthers found some easy opportunities from the three-point line and simply out-hustled Jensen’s crew. After a McDermott three-pointer, Iowa called a timeout with 6:44 remaining and possessing a four-point lead.
UNI hit big shots to stay within striking distance. At times, it didn’t matter how Iowa defended them– they shots were destined to go down. That’s also what happens when you have a lethal scorer like McDermott.
McCabe, who had only played 22 minutes in the previous two outings, had some of the game’s biggest plays. A big three-pointer to push Iowa’s lead to two possessions as well as a big fastbreak steal to maintain possession.
Iowa finished it down the stretch with free throws and avoided a home loss in the final non-conference game of the season.
Star(s) of the Game:
Hannah Stuelke- The junior out of Cedar Rapids showcased an all-around game, especially in the first quarter. From offensive rebounds, passing and finishing at the rim. She set the tone for the Hawkeyes tonight and put the Panthers in a hole early. Stuelke’s passing was on full display, especially in the high-low action. She continued to find cutters when the opportunities presented themselves.
Iowa will need Stuelke to realize that she’s consistently one of the best players on the floor and help force the action. She ended with 15 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Lucy Olsen- After having her worst shooting performance as a Hawkeye, Olsen got back to what she does best. She only scored two points in the first quarter, but really picked her spots wisely over the final three quarters. From step-throughs to making mid-range jumpers– she was making good decisions that helped push the offense.
Olsen finished with 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Taylor McCabe- It’s hard to quantify the impact that McCabe had on Friday night’s game. She splashed big three-pointers, had clutch steals and gave Iowa some big-time minutes when the guards were in foul trouble. Going from starter to bench can be difficult for a player, McCabe took it in stride.
Up Next: The Hawkeyes are going to enjoy some time off before returning back to action on December 29 against Purdue at 2 pm.
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