An improved Addison O’Grady has been the Hawkeyes’ early-season spark

IOWA CITY — Jan Jensen held a stat sheet in Addison O’Grady’s face Sunday and asked a mathematical question.

In essence, what is 9 divided by 9?

Easy division.

“One hundred percent,” O’Grady said, somewhat sheepishly, as her teammates roared in approval.

That was O’Grady’s field-goal efficiency in a career-best effort (18 points) as Iowa downed Virginia Tech, 71-52, at the Ally Tipoff in Charlotte, N.C.

“It was a good confidence boost,” O’Grady said — both personally and collectively — during the Hawkeyes’ press conference Monday.

“My teammates were looking for me, and it led to easy baskets. I love it when (opposing defenses) front me. If they don’t have help-side, it’s an easy basket every time.”

O’Grady’s progress has been the feel-good story so far for the Hawkeyes, who are off to a 2-0 start in Jensen’s first voyage as head coach.

A 6-foot-3 senior who hadn’t started a single game for her first three seasons, she is averaging 15.0 points per game. Her field-goal rate (14 of 15, 93.3 percent) ranks sixth nationally.

“I’m so happy for Addi,” Jensen said. “It’s kind of the old-school trajectory. Accept a role, stick around, help make other players really good.

“To see a kid’s hard work be rewarded, I couldn’t be happier for her. I’m hopeful that it leads to bigger and better things.”

O’Grady could feast again Wednesday, when the Hawkeyes host an undersized Toledo outfit.

Tipoff is 6 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“They don’t have a lot of size,” Jensen said of the Rockets (1-0). “Their posts are undersized, but they can go to a five-out (attack).”

O’Grady, like many posts, isn’t one to create offense for herself. She was the beneficiary of a variety of entry lob passes to the paint.

“It’s a lot of work getting that down,” freshman guard Taylor Stremlow said. “It was a struggle; I was getting in my own head.”

Sydney Affolter made her first appearance of the season Sunday, logging 24 minutes and recording three points and six rebounds.

She underwent a knee scope in the offseason and missed the first game.

“Syd did all of her (rehab) to a ‘T,’ and did as much extra as was allowed,” Jensen said.

“It’s super exciting to see her pain-free,” Stremlow said.

Toledo rallied from an eight-point halftime deficit to win its opener, 71-68, over Marshall on Nov. 4, but hasn’t played since.

Hannah Noveroske came off the bench to register 16 points and eight rebounds.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com