INDIANAPOLIS
Hawkeye postseason basketball began tonight in Indianapolis as Iowa took on Wisconsin in the first round of the Big 10 Tournament. Iowa is attempting to defend their title of Big 10 Champions earned last year with the leadership of former teammate Caitlin Clark. Just three days earlier, Iowa played Wisconsin at their final regular season game winning 81-66 and is a high-margin favorite to move forward to second round play here in Indianapolis. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse was extremely empty by recent Hawkeye standards and presented a notably quiet environment for the mid-week matchup, something that undoubtedly was noticed by players.
Iowa started the same players as they did Sunday: McCabe, Affolter, Feuerbach, Olsen, and Stuelke. Wisconsin came out the gate strong grabbing the tipoff and turning it into an early three. Wisconsin held the lead for most of the first four minutes trading buckets until Iowa was able to break into a 19-0 run which was started with a 3 pointer from McCabe with 6 minutes left in the quarter and continued until the buzzer. Both teams played a very physical quarter The Hawkeyes hit a whopping 73% of shots in the first quarter to Wisconsin’s 31%. The ball did get a little loose and wild both directions with the Hawkeyes 4 turnovers to Wisconsin’s 5. The Hawks were playing team basketball with 5 members contributing points. The first quarter ended with Iowa leading 25-9.
In the second quarter, Wisconsin tried to gain some momentum by hitting a couple buckets early, but the Hawks didn’t let that trend continue. The Badgers were able to close the gap by a couple points but they were quickly taken back. Olsen led the scoring with 14 points for the half with Affolter and Feuerbach not far behind. In addition to some sharpshooting, Iowa was able to take back control of the paint and outrebound Wisconsin 21-8 in the first half with Stuelke and O’Grady both being key players under the hoop. Every time Wisconsin tried to make a difference it was almost immediately answered by Iowa including an impressive couple of three pointers from Iowa’s Guyton. Iowa led by 20 at the half with 43 to Wisconsin’s 23. The first half was physical but clean and was a treat for Iowa fans.
[foogallery id=”295771″]Iowa attempted to further their lead in the third quarter. The Hawkeye starters continued to have an impact with Stuelke hitting back-to-back plays and Olsen dropping bombs from both mid and long range early. Iowa’s rookies are also playing an increasingly important role in this game with Guyton making her presence known and even Mallegni swishing in a three pointer of her own and a reverse later. We also saw Stremlow seeing significant minutes in the game and Heiden making an appearance and two buckets. Iowa’s rarely seen Levin was even in for several minutes. Coach Jensen gave her starters some well deserved rest and her bench some well deserved minutes as Iowa held their lead 65-39 after 30 minutes of play.
Iowa started the fourth quarter with a lineup I don’t think we have seen all season with Levin, Guyton, Mallegni, Stremlow, and Heiden. That lineup held for almost 3 minutes before subbing back in McCabe, Olsen, and Stuelke but also adding Gyamfi to the game and continued to mix in the bench throughout the quarter. The Hawkeyes were playing hard but also enjoying a wide lead. Wisconsin narrowed the gap to 17 but a quick 3 by McCabe put the Hawks back up by 20 halfway through the quarter. Iowa’s rookies held their own while Wisconsin tried to make up ground with limited minutes to do so. When the dust had settled Iowa won 81-54 with Olsen leading scoring at 19 and most of Iowa’s starters only clocking around 20 minutes of play.
#11 seed Iowa will take on #6 seed Michigan State tomorrow (Thursday) night. That game will be broadcast on Big 10 Network and of course stop back here for updated coverage of the tournament.
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