Iowa basketball: #13 women’s team off to quick start with two early wins

The women’s Iowa basketball team is off to an expected hot start with two straight wins to open the season. Here’s an recap of the first two games.

Led by star senior forward Megan Gustafson, the #13 women’s Iowa basketball team has quickly gotten off to a 2-0 start to begin their 2018-2019 campaign. This good start is really to be expected as the Iowa basketball team has their sights set on going deep in the women’s NCAA tournament after falling to the Creighton Blue Jays in the first round of last year’s tournament.

Although Gustafson is the key to Iowa’s success, considering she led the country in points per game, field goal percentage, and field goals made last year, the women’s Iowa basketball team is filled with a plethora of depth and experience making them a true contender for a NCAA championship this season.

This veteran squad featuring three seniors, a junior, and a redshirt sophomore in the starting lineup made quick work of NAIA Dakota Wesleyan University in a nice warm up game to start the season off right. Gustafson and senior Hannah Stewart both had double-doubles and while five Hawks had double digits in points scored. The Iowa basketball team easily won 102-54.

The second game of the season featured the women’s Iowa basketball facing off against an average Oral Roberts University squad that went 17-13 last year. The Hawkeyes got off to a hot start heading into the half up 49-23 before letting off the gas in the second half. They would win 90-77.

Gustafson, again, paced the women’s team in points with 23, and she was a monster on the boards bringing down 17 total rebounds (also a team high). Moreover, she led the team in assists (6) and blocks (4). Three other Hawks tallied double-digit points and the team shot over 50% from the three-point line.

Senior guard Tania Davis led the Hawkeyes in three-point shooting going 3-4 from beyond the arc after being held scoreless against Dakota Wesleyan. Her involvement is crucial, and it’s something that coach Lisa Bluder thinks is one of the keys to the women’s team’s success this season. She had this to say in her preseason press conference.

"She’s our X-factor. She’s one of our best 3-point shooters. She’s one of our best free-throw shooters. She gives us great depth at that point guard position. She is an amazing passer. In fact, I still get some of those, “oh, wow” moments in practice when she just puts up this unbelievable pass, and just threads the needle."

The women’s team is back in action Tuesday evening when they take on the 0-2 Western Kentucky Lady Toppers in Bowling Green, Kentucky.