No. 9 Iowa women’s basketball defeats University of Northern Iowa
The Hawkeyes improved to 3-0 in the first week of the season after defeating their in-state rival on the road.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark shoots a shot over Samford guard Sanna Redmond during a women’s basketball game between Iowa and Samford at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs, 91-54.
November 14, 2021
No. 9 Iowa women’s basketball traveled to Cedar Falls, Iowa, on Sunday to take on to the University of Northern Iowa.
The Hawkeyes took down the Panthers, 82-61.
Sophomore point guard Caitlin Clark blazed the trail for the Hawkeyes, finishing three assists shy of a triple-double.
The preseason All-American had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the game, but it wasn’t Clark’s most efficient outing. She shot 30 percent from the 3-point line and had four turnovers.
Overall, the Hawkeyes had their least efficient game of the season, shooting 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc. But the Hawkeyes relied on their stout defense to carry them to victory.
“I think that needs to be our identity,” Clark said postgame. “I think we need to rely on our defense, especially when shots don’t fall like they should.”
The Hawkeyes forced 19 Panther turnovers, and also forced Northern Iowa to shoot 32 percent from the floor and 25 percent from 3-point range.
Senior center Monika Czinano was dominant in the post, scoring 16 points and recording four assists.
BIG PICTURE
The Hawkeyes have started the season 3-0, with three wins in six days.
The Hawkeyes are averaging 88.7 points a game over three contests, while allowing 55 points per game.
Iowa is also shooting 52 percent from the floor while holding opponents to just a 32 percent field goal percentage.
STANDOUT PLAYER
Junior forward McKenna Warnock made plays all over the floor for the Hawkeyes, scoring 17 points on 50 percent shooting. The junior also shot an efficient 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
“I thought McKenna was the player of the game today,” head coach Lisa Bluder said. “I thought she rebounded well, I thought she shot well, I thought she played great defense. I’m really happy with her game out there today.”
UP NEXT
After winning its first road game of the season, No. 9 Iowa will return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to take on Southern University on Wednesday.
Southern comes into the game with a record of 0-1 after falling to No. 23 Texas A&M. The Jaguars are led by junior guard Genovea Johnson, who averaged 13.4 points per game last season.
The game will tip-off at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and will also be streamed on BTN+.