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No. 10 Iowa defeated Eastern Illinois 80-39 on Thursday in Iowa City, with first-year forward McKenna Woliczko scoring 22 points. The Hawkeyes next visit No. 2 UConn on Sunday in Storrs, where they will face a major step up in competition.
No. 10 Iowa beat Eastern Illinois 80-39 on Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, closing its second game of the season with a dominant win before a Sunday road test against No. 2 UConn in Storrs, Connecticut. First-year forward McKenna Woliczko scored 22 points to lead the Hawkeyes, who forced 27 turnovers and assisted on 22 of their 31 field goals.
Woliczko made four of six 3-point attempts and reached double figures for the second time in two games. She scored 10 points in Iowa’s 73-45 season-opening win over Towson on Tuesday. All-Big center Ava Heiden added 15 points, while Georgia transfer Dani Carnegie scored 12 as Iowa spread its offense among multiple contributors.
Iowa led 17-10 after the first quarter, then pulled away with a 27-8 second period to take a 44-18 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes’ defense helped fuel the separation: Eastern Illinois committed 17 turnovers in the first half, and Iowa had recorded its 10th steal before Jocelyn Faison scored a fastbreak layup just before halftime.
The Panthers made only five of 17 field-goal attempts in the first half and were out-rebounded 22-13. Iowa’s own long-range shooting was limited before the break, with the Hawkeyes making one of eight 3-point attempts, but the defensive and rebounding advantages kept the lead growing. Iowa was ahead 60-30 after three quarters, allowing coach Jan Jensen to rest her starters in the fourth.
A Tune-Up Before Storrs
The win moved Iowa through its first two games with victories over Towson and Eastern Illinois, but Sunday’s matchup is a much tougher measure of the team. UConn is ranked No. 2 and will host the Hawkeyes, who face a quick turnaround after Thursday’s game and will have to respond to a higher level of competition on the road.
Thursday’s performance offered positive signs in ball movement and defensive pressure: Iowa recorded 22 assists and forced 27 turnovers. Those numbers came against Eastern Illinois, however, and do not establish how the Hawkeyes will perform against UConn. The trip also gives Iowa an early opportunity to address the weaknesses Jensen identified before the schedule intensifies.
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A Rematch After Last December
The teams last met in December in Brooklyn, New York, when UConn beat Iowa 90-64. According to the source report, the Huskies made 13 3-pointers while Iowa committed 26 turnovers. That result is relevant to Sunday’s game, though it does not determine how either team will perform this season.
UConn will enter the matchup after a 77-66 loss to No. 5 Michigan on Thursday in Ann Arbor. The source report described the Huskies as needing to respond after that defeat. Iowa’s two opening wins have come against Towson and Eastern Illinois; the Storrs visit is its next scheduled test against a highly ranked opponent.
““We’re not nearly where we need to be to be long-term successful and we’re going to have to get better in the next 48 hours, too, to go into a real hostile environment and play a team that is coming off a loss.””
— Jan Jensen, Iowa head coach
Questions Before the UConn Test
The available report does not provide a complete box score, including individual rebounding totals, minutes played or scoring beyond the leading Iowa players. It also does not give further detail on Iowa’s preparation, health or rotation plans for Sunday. The extent to which Thursday’s turnover margin and scoring balance will carry over against UConn remains unknown.
The report identifies the UConn game as scheduled for Sunday in Storrs, but does not specify a tipoff time or broadcast information. No result from that game is available in the source material.
Iowa Heads to Storrs Sunday
Iowa is scheduled to face No. 2 UConn on Sunday in Storrs. The game follows Thursday’s 80-39 win and gives the Hawkeyes a chance to test their ball movement and defense against a ranked opponent after Jensen said the team still needs to improve.
The matchup will also revisit the recent history between the programs: UConn won their December meeting by 26 points. Whether Iowa can limit turnovers and compete with the Huskies’ perimeter shooting will be among the main questions when the teams meet. The source report does not state the game’s tipoff time.
Key Questions
What was the score of Iowa’s game against Eastern Illinois?
Iowa won 80-39 on Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
Who led Iowa in scoring?
First-year forward McKenna Woliczko scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers. Ava Heiden had 15 points and Dani Carnegie scored 12.
When and where does Iowa play UConn?
Iowa is scheduled to visit No. 2 UConn on Sunday in Storrs, Connecticut. The source report does not list a tipoff time.
How did Iowa perform against UConn in its last meeting?
UConn beat Iowa 90-64 last December in Brooklyn. The source report says UConn made 13 3-pointers and Iowa committed 26 turnovers in that game.
Source: hawkfanatic.com
