Iowa women’s basketball has quick turnaround from Game 1 to Game 2

IOWA CITY — The Samford Bulldogs haven’t played a game, but Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder and staff aren’t exactly flying blind in preparation.

“They return their coach and (four) starters, so we can get a general sense of what they like to do,” Bluder said Tuesday night as the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes (1-0) prepare for a quick turnaround.

“Still, we can’t count on our scout quite as much.”

The Hawkeyes welcome Samford for a 6:30 p.m. (BTN+) encounter Thursday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

It ought to be a significant step up in competition from New Hampshire, which the Hawkeyes handled, 93-50, Tuesday.

Samford was 14-11 last year, including 11-2 in the Southern Conference. The Bulldogs return four starters, led by junior guard Andrea Cournoyer (18.4 points per game last year).

Tuesday’s opener created no red flags. Among the highlights were 27-of-28 shooting from the free-throw line and the fact that the Hawkeyes held UNH to 50 points.

Iowa allowed more than 80 points per game last year.

“I’m proud of how we came out and focused on defense,” junior McKenna Warnock said. “It’s something we’ve focused on for months.”

For Hawkeyes fans (the reported attendance was 6,789), it was the first official look at the four rookies. Freshman Addison O’Grady led the newcomers with 8 points.

Kylie Feuerbach, a sophomore transfer from Iowa State, had five points and matched Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin for the team lead in assists, with six.

“I think Kylie did some really good things for us, both on offense and defense,” Bluder said. “I think her plus/minus (plus-37) was the highest on the team, so it showed we played some really good basketball when she was out there.”

Wednesday was signing day, and the Hawkeyes — as expected — received three national letters of intent for 2022-23, from Hannah Stuelke (Cedar Rapids Washington), Jada Gyamfi (Johnston) and Taylor McCabe (Fremont, Neb.).

All are ranked in the Class of 2022 top 100 by ESPN.com, led by Stuelke at No. 45.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com