Hawkeyes open season with victory | basketball

BOX score

Inconsistencies are always a problem at season openers.

That's something the Iowa women's basketball team hasn't had to deal with in a while.

The new-look Hawkeyes — new players, others in new roles, a new coach — had their ups and downs in Wednesday's 91-73 win over Northern Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“We had some moments, but we really lacked consistency,” said Jan Jensen, who earned her first regular-season win as Hawkeyes coach.

Iowa had six players score in double figures, led by Lucy Olsen, who scored 19 points in her first game with the Hawkeyes since transferring from Villanova.

Freshmen Teagan Mallegni and Kylie Feuerbach each had 14 points. Addison O'Grady had 12 points. Hannah Stülke overcame an ankle injury in the first half and finished with 11 points. Taylor McCabe also had 11.

The Hawkeyes trailed 16-15 early in the second quarter before going on a 14-0 run that put them in control of the game.

“Of course you have to get a few nerves out of the way in the first game,” said Feuerbach.

Some insights from the game:

In and out – Like most coaches, Jensen used this game to try out different combinations of players.

Eight players played 10 or more minutes and the Hawkeyes went 10 minutes deep in the first half.

That, Jensen said, may have contributed to the unpredictable play.

“You’re still trying to figure out who your people are,” Jensen said. “Maybe this game prepared us for this inconsistency.”

FEUERBACH STANDS UP – Feuerbach played a key role as a backup for the Hawkeyes on their way to the national championship game this season, but with all the stars gone, there were still minutes to be had and she got them.

Feuerbach played 33 minutes and added nine rebounds, six steals and five assists.

Jensen pointed out what Feuerbach has dealt with over the last few seasons — her transfer from Iowa State and then the knee injury that cost her the 2022-23 season.

“She had a way,” Jensen said.

Jensen pointed out how playing against players like Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall inspired Feuerbach to play a big game in a bigger role.

“When they get their moment, it kind of chokes me up,” Jensen said.

Olsen’s debut – Olsen got to experience the big crowd at Carver-Hawkeye in the exhibition game against Missouri Western last week, but the senior guard found it just as much fun to see it at a regular-season game.

“Every time I look around I think, 'Wow,'” Olsen said.

Her piece sparked a similar reaction.

Olsen was 9 of 17 from the field, showing off the mid-range jumper that Jensen had raved about in the preseason. She also had seven assists with three turnovers.

STUELKES SECOND HALF – Stuelke came down with her injury at the end of the first quarter and after spending most of the second quarter in the training room, she came out to watch the end of the half before starting the second half.

“I saw her on the ground,” Jensen said. “My heart stopped for a second.”

Stuelke came back and made 4 of 5 shots in the second half and made 3 of 3 on free throws. She added six rebounds.

THE FRESH ONE – Mallegni had a great start to her career, shooting 6 of 10 from the field. She also had two rebounds.

Taylor Stremlow was a stabilizing presence. She had two points but five assists with two turnovers.

Ava Heiden also had more than 15 minutes of work in the post office. She was 2 of 7 from the field, but Jensen said that is to be expected from freshman post players.

“There’s a lot coming up,” she said.