Iowa

No. 6 Iowa women’s basketball zooms by Evansville to set program scoring record

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2022

No. 6 Iowa women’s basketball zooms by Evansville to set program scoring record

IOWA CITY — Urgency isn’t the appropriate phrase in week one, however the Hawkeye ladies’s sluggish first quarter in Monday’s season opener was a correctable level to hammer residence forward of Thursday’s Evansville matchup.

No have to ship the message twice.

The No. 6 Hawkeyes made fast work of their first of 4 Missouri Valley Convention matchups of the non-conference season, routing Evansville for a 115-62 win at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment to set this system’s single-game scoring report. Whereas the Iowa Metropolis climate accomplished a loopy 30-degree transformation outdoors, issues inside had been a lot much less chaotic.

“The beginning was so much nicer,” Iowa standout Caitlin Clark mentioned. “While you return and watch the movie with Southern, we realized they weren’t crashing, which form of slowed down our transition offense fairly a bit. Once we get to that, that’s our greatest offense. Each staff is aware of that.

“So I feel once we executed that and performed protection, received the ball inside, it simply felt so much higher. It felt like Iowa basketball. Clearly final time was a bit of uneven, however we knew we had been going to play higher and run our offense so much higher.”

Not that Iowa (2-0) struggled offensively in any means Monday in opposition to Southern — it simply took a bit of bit to warmth up, significantly from deep with a 0-for-9 begin. That wasn’t going to occur twice. Clark drained two early 3-pointers as a part of an eight-point spurt in about 90 seconds as Iowa cruised to a 26-7 benefit after 1 / 4.

The Hawkeyes drained 5 treys in a primary half that noticed the classic Hawkeyes offense rock and roll with little resistance. Compelled turnovers had been in every single place. Fastbreak factors got here in bunches. Evansville utterly light from view in a matter of minutes.

“You do not rating essentially the most factors ever by strolling the ball down the ground,” coach Lisa Bluder mentioned. “You have to run. You have to play quick. We wish to play quick, after which clearly we shot the ball very well. What may now we have completed had we shot the ball properly from the free-throw line (21-for-32)? However once you’re taking pictures 50% from 3-point vary (8-for-16) — and we shot 69% p.c from two-point vary — these are some actually, actually good numbers.”

Clark led the way in which with 26 factors and 12 assists for her twenty seventh profession double-double. Monika Czinano, after taking simply 4 pictures Monday, adopted up with a extra attribute 23 factors on 10-for-14 from the sphere. McKenna Warnock added 15 factors and 7 boards.

With no scoreboard drama within the second half, Bluder once more received an prolonged have a look at how reserve minutes is perhaps allotted shifting ahead. One other sturdy efficiency from Hannah Stuelke — 14 factors and eight rebounds in 14 minutes — supplied a glimpse of what’s to come back with the freshman standout. Sydney Affolter continues to have the largest function change from final season because the second guard off the bench.

“They made it very easy to only are available in right here,” Stuelke mentioned. “It has been identical to one other sport. Simply play arduous and do what we all know to do. “

All in all, these first two video games unfolded because the blowouts they anticipated to be. The identified names regained the momentum they’re used to taking part in with, whereas the newbies — each to school and the Iowa program — dipped their toes in with no ton of strain. That adjustments Sunday with the always-tough journey to Drake, which opened Monday with an 80-67 win over Inexperienced Bay.

The in-state matchup will present a pleasant November take a look at in opposition to improved competitors. Iowa ought to head to Des Moines with loads of confidence after back-to-back routs.

“You do not wish to exit and beat each staff by 50 factors. That is not that enjoyable. It is enjoyable, but it surely’s not that enjoyable,” Clark mentioned. “On the finish of the day, you need to have the ability to come all the way down to the wire and beat groups when it is shut. I feel we’re excited. These are the video games we have been working for all summer season.”

Dargan Southard is a sports activities trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Electronic mail him at msouthard@gannett.com or comply with him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.

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Iowa

Urquhart Sets Iowa’s Single-Season Aces Record at UCLA

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

LOS ANGELES – Senior Michelle Urquhart set Iowa’s single-season service aces record in the Hawkeyes’ 3-1 loss to UCLA on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion. Iowa drops to 10-21 overall and 4-15 in the Big Ten.

Urquhart needed two aces to surpass the single-season rally scoring era record set by Becky Walters in 2010. With the third set tied at 10-10, Urquhart dropped in a soft serve to secure her 42nd ace on the season.

The senior from Virginia Beach, Virginia, also recorded a double-double, registering 13 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Dominique Phills and sophomore Hannah Whittingstall were in double-figures with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Phills was a spark off the bench, drilling five kills in the opening set.

Senior libero Joy Galles notched a career high in digs, finishing with 24. She neared a double-double, tallying eight assists.

MATCH SUMMARY
SET ONE (UCLA, 25-23)
After trading points early on, the Hawkeyes strung together three consecutive points to take a 5-3 lead, courtesy of a kill and ace from Urquhart. UCLA answered with a run, pushing ahead 13-8. Phills was a spark off the bench, helping Iowa pull within two on several occasions. The Hawkeyes rallied all the way back in the opener, tying the set at 23-23 before the Bruins capitalized on back-to-back kills to win the set. UCLA had only one attacking error in the first set, while Iowa had seven.

SET TWO (UCLA, 25-11)
Despite gaining momentum at the end of the first set, Iowa fell behind 9-1 to begin the second. A timeout slowed the Bruins’ progress, but they gained early control of the set. Iowa chipped away in the middle of the set on terminations from Phills and UCLA errors. UCLA ended the set on a 5-0 run.

SET THREE (IOWA, 25-23)
Iowa quickly regrouped for a competitive set in the third. A kill from Whittingstall and ace from freshman Jenna Meitzler kept the pressure on UCLA early. Urquhart notched her record-setting ace, breaking a 10-10 tie in the third set. The teams headed into the media timeout with UCLA leading, 15-14. It wasn’t until late in the set before Iowa pulled away, using a 3-0 run to go up by two at 20-18, courtesy of kills from freshman Malu Garcia and Phills. After a UCLA timeout fueled back-to-back points for the Bruins, Iowa sealed the set with a kill from Whittingstall and error from UCLA.

Mickey’s record-setting ace! 💛#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/PlUu17YR2R
— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘀 👑
With Michelle’s second ace tonight, she has set the program record for service aces in a season during the rally scoring era (42).#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/fimM7XstTc
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— Iowa Volleyball (@IowaVolleyball) November 28, 2024

SET FOUR (UCLA, 25-15)
UCLA recovered and regained momentum, leading 6-2 to begin set four. A pair of kills from Urquhart and a termination from Garcia brought Iowa back within one at 7-6. The Hawkeyes stayed within striking distance but could not take the lead in the set. The Bruins used a run in the middle of the set to take control. A block from senior Anna Davis and Garcia stopped the run at 19-13. UCLA finished the set on a 5-1 run to win the match.

UP NEXT: Iowa heads across town for its season finale, battling No. 20 USC on Friday evening. First serve is set for 9 p.m. (CT) from the Galen Center. The match will be broadcast on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

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Iowa

Iowa Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

Published

10 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Iowa Legend Sends Strong Message In Midst of Brutal Season

Former Iowa Hawkeyes star George Kittle is in the midst of what has to be the most trying season of his NFL career.

Kittle’s San Francisco 49ers—who were Super Bowl contenders heading into 2024—fell to just 5-6 with their loss to the Green Bay Packer this past Sunday, further hindering their playoff chances.

However, the tight end is not giving up hope in the midst of severe adversity.

“My optimism is not broken by any means,” Kittle told reporters. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back. And I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays, and I got no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind, and going to see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.”

You have to love Kittle’s fighting spirit, but it seems hard to imagine the 49ers righting the ship in their current predicament.

San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of injury issues up and down the roster, which includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder problem.

Kittle himself had a strong performance in Week 12, logging six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has also been his usual impressive self overall this season, totaling 49 receptions for 642 yards and eight scores in nine appearances.

But not even Kittle can save the Niners from all of their current troubles.

The 49ers will face the Buffalo Bills in a matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fate this Sunday.

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Iowa

No. 17 Iowa State tries to keep focus on Kansas State, not the many Big 12 title game scenarios

Published

18 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

No. 17 Iowa State tries to keep focus on Kansas State, not the many Big 12 title game scenarios

No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.

That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.

Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”

If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.

So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.

“The kids know,” he said.

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel

Going for 10

The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.

“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.

Up and running

K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.

“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.

Cold, but no snow

Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.

“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”

K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”

“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”