BOX SCORE RECAP: Hawkeyes handle the Leathernecks

by: Kyle Huesmann6 hours agoHuesmannKyle

After a pair of grinding, adversity filled wins down in Orlando, the Iowa Women’s Basketball team returned to Iowa City for a matchup against Western Illinois on Wednesday night. Despite playing shorthanded, with three players out, the Hawkeyes got back on track offensively, rolling to a 86-69 win over the visiting Leathernecks.

The Hawkeyes jumped out to an early 10-3 lead, but WIU quickly answered with a 6-0 run, forcing Jan Jensen to take a timeout midway through the opening quarter. However, the Leathernecks momentum was short-lived, as Iowa followed with a 13-0 run and put up 24 points in the second quarter to build a 44-25 halftime lead. Western Illinois made a bit of a surge out of the break, knocking down three third quarter triples, but were unable to close the gap further than 51-38. WIU outscored Iowa 44-42 in the second half.

Iowa scored 86 points on 72 possessions (1.194 points per possession), while shooting 32-of-53 (60.4%) from the floor, 9-of-20 (45.0%) from three-point range and 13-of-17 (76.5%) from the free throw line. Freshman Addie Deal led the way with 17 points and five assists, including three made threes, while Taylor McCabe added 15 points and five made three-pointers. Ava Heiden recorded a double-double 15 points and ten rebounds, with her frontcourt counterpart, Hannah Stuelke, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

Western Illinois scored 69 points on 76 possessions (0.908 points per possession), while shooting 24-of-65 (36.9%) from the floor, 7-of-27 (25.9%) from three-point range and 14-of-18 (77.8%) from the free throw line. Mia Nicastro led the Leathernecks in scoring with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Raegan McCowan added 16 points.

The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Leathernecks 41-25, pulling down 34-of-44 (77.3%) defensive rebounds and 7-of-22 (31.8%) offensive rebounds. The turnover battle went in favor of the Leathernecks, turning it over just 14 times to 21 turnovers for the Hawkeyes. Western Illinois outscored Hawkeyes 40-30 in points off turnovers/second chance points.