Iowa women’s basketball’s Molly Davis' injury not season-ending

Iowa women’s basketball’s Molly Davis’ injury not season-ending

Davis fell awkwardly on the hardwood early in the second quarter of Iowa’s game against No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday.

March 4, 2024

Iowa guard Molly Davis hugs assistant coach Raina Harmon during a basketball game with No. 6 Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State inside a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday, March 3, 2024. The Hawkeyes upset the Buckeyes, 93-83, on senior night.

Iowa women’s basketball’s Molly Davis will likely not miss the remainder of the season after she suffered a right knee injury during Sunday’s win against No. 2 Ohio State, it was announced Monday.

“While we feel for Molly that she got injured during Senior Day, we are so thankful that the injury she sustained is not season ending,” head coach Lisa Bluder said on Monday. “Our program has appreciated everyone’s support and prayers as we look forward to her return at some point during the postseason.”

Davis will undergo physical therapy next week to improve mobility. She fell awkwardly on the hardwood early in the second quarter of the Hawkeyes’ matchup with the Buckeyes, silencing over 15,000 people in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. She was immediately in visible pain and carried to the locker room by two student managers as Hawkeye fans chanted “Molly! Molly! Molly!” She left the game with three rebounds and an assist. Davis is averaging 6.3 points per game and has started in 27 of Iowa’s 30 games this season.

After suffering an injury to her right leg, Molly Davis is carried off the court!

Prayers up for Molly! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/A2cWwPZvPg

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 3, 2024

Guard Sydney Affolter started the second half in Davis’s place. Affolter and guard Kylie Feuerbach will have significant roles in the Hawkeyes’ postseason run.

Still in her uniform, Davis returned to the sideline in a wheelchair in the fourth quarter with bandages wrapped around her right leg. Davis, a fifth-year guard, still went through senior day festivities and was rolled out to half-court by her parents. Even in pain, Davis had a smile on her face, and her famed headband was still snug on her head.

When it was her turn to speak to the crowd, the 5-foot-7 guard shared an encouraging message, showing why she’s become a fan favorite in her two years as a Hawkeye — Davis transferred from Central Michigan following the 2021-22 season. After the senior day ceremony, Davis was seen using crutches in the tunnel.

“You don’t always have to be the biggest, the smartest, the tallest, the strongest to play at this level,” she said. “Hopefully I showed little girls out there that you can play at this level.”

Molly Davis an inspiration 💛 @IowaWBB pic.twitter.com/LCDuN6N2Hs

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 3, 2024

About the Contributors

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor

she/her/hers

Kenna Roering is The Daily Iowan's sports editor. She is a junior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism with a minor in sports and recreation management. Kenna previously worked as a sports reporter for men's wrestling and volleyball and was the summer sports editor in 2023. This is her second year with the DI.

Grace Smith, Senior photojournalist and filmmaker

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Grace Smith is a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa double majoring in Journalism and Cinematic Arts. In her four years at The Daily Iowan, she has held the roles of photo editor, managing summer editor, and visual storyteller. Outside of The Daily Iowan, Grace has held an internship at The Denver Post and pursued freelance assignments for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Des Moines Register.