The Iowa women’s basketball team is navigating a challenging stretch, having lost back-to-back games for the first time in over two years. Following a 74-66 defeat to Maryland, Iowa fell to Illinois 62-57 on Thursday. These losses highlight several areas of concern for the Hawkeyes as they attempt to regain their footing.
Offensive Struggles and Turnovers
Iowa’s offensive efficiency has been hampered by turnovers and poor shooting performances. In the game against Illinois, the Hawkeyes committed 18 turnovers, adding to the 92 turnovers accumulated in their four losses this season. This issue has disrupted their offensive flow and limited scoring opportunities. Additionally, their shooting from beyond the arc was subpar, hitting only 5-of-20 three-point attempts.
Free Throw Woes
The Hawkeyes also struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 8-of-17 attempts. These missed opportunities at the charity stripe proved costly in a closely contested game.
Lineup Adjustments and Contributions
Head coach Jan Jensen made a notable adjustment to the starting lineup, introducing freshman point guard Aaliyah Guyton in place of senior center Addi O’Grady. Guyton’s limited production, with just two points and four turnovers in 16 minutes, suggests that finding the right balance in the lineup remains a work in progress.
Key Performers
Despite the team’s struggles, junior forward Hannah Stuelke and graduate guard Lucy Olsen provided offensive sparks, scoring 18 and 16 points, respectively. However, they were the only players to score in double figures, indicating a need for more balanced scoring contributions.
Rebounding Edge
One positive for Iowa was their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Illinois 42-31. This advantage, however, was not enough to offset their other struggles.
Looking Ahead
As Iowa prepares to host Indiana, the focus will be on addressing these challenges. Avoiding a third consecutive loss will require improved ball handling, better shooting, and maximizing scoring opportunities at the free-throw line. With adjustments and renewed focus, the Hawkeyes have the potential to rebound and regain their winning form.
