No. 10 Iowa dismantled Eastern Illinois 80-39 on Thursday night in Iowa City, with freshman star McKenna Woliczko leading the charge. Woliczko, a San Bruno, California native, posted a game-high 22 points while shooting an impressive 9-of-12 from the field. Her efficiency stood out starkly against the Hawkeyes’ broader perimeter struggles, as she drained four of her six three-point attempts. Ava Heiden provided crucial support with 15 points and eight rebounds, helping Iowa secure its second victory of the season.
Defensive dominance and Woliczko’s efficiency power Hawkeyes to second straight win
Despite a sluggish start that mirrored their previous outing, Iowa’s defensive intensity turned the tide in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes outscored the Panthers 27-8 in that period, seizing a 44-18 halftime lead. Iowa’s suffocating defense limited Eastern Illinois to just five field-goal attempts in the second quarter while forcing 10 turnovers. By the final horn, the Hawkeyes had held the Panthers to a mere 32% shooting from the field and 22% from deep, while forcing a staggering 27 total turnovers.
The rebounding battle further highlighted Iowa’s physical advantage, as the Hawkeyes dominated the glass with a 44-25 edge. However, the team’s three-point shooting remains a concern, as Iowa connected on only 9 of 28 attempts. This follows Monday’s 73-45 win over Towson, where Iowa missed 11 of its first 12 three-pointers. With a 2-0 record, Iowa’s elite defense is currently masking its offensive inconsistencies, setting the stage for a challenging stretch ahead.
Source: Yahoo Sports
