Iowa-Tennessee Takeaways

By John Bohnenkamp

Turnovers have been a problem at times for Iowa’s women’s basketball team this season.

It finally caught up with the 17th-ranked Hawkeyes in Saturday’s 78-68 loss to Tennessee in the Champions Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Iowa (8-1) committed 30 turnovers, leading to 42 points by the Volunteers. The Hawkeyes came into the game averaging 16 turnovers per game.

Every Hawkeye who played with the exception of center Ava Heiden committed at least one turnover. Sydney Affolter had the most with seven.

The Hawkeyes led 67-64 with 3:48 to play, but committed four turnovers and missed three shots the rest of the way.

Lucy Olsen led Iowa with 23 points. Addison O’Grady had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Talaysia Cooper led Tennessee (7-0) with 23 points.

Some other takeaways from the game:

OLSEN RETURNS

Olsen missed both of Iowa’s games in Cancun last week with a deep cut on her knee, but came back to start this game.

Olsen played almost 33 minutes, shooting 7 of 14 from the field while giving out five assists. She also drew seven fouls.

A healthy Olsen gives Iowa experience and leadership at the point guard spot, and her return is important considering the schedule the Hawkeyes face before Christmas.

STUELKE STRUGGLES

Hannah Stuelke was 1 of 8 from the field and finished with eight points.

It was an off night for Stuelke, who did have 10 rebounds and five assists, so she was able to contribute in other ways. She’s averaging 13.6 points and shooting 44 percent from the field for the season, and the Hawkeyes are going to need that.

NO TURNOVERS FORCED

Iowa had trouble defending the quicker Lady Vols. The Hawkeyes only forced nine turnovers and converted them into just four points.

Tennessee had 44 paint points and 17 fast-break points.

QUIET BENCH

Iowa’s reserves have been reliable for production this season, but didn’t come up with much in this game.

The Hawkeyes had just 10 points — Heiden had four, and Aaliyah Guyton and Teagan Mallegni had three. Taylor McCabe and Taylor Stremlow did not score in a combined 17 minutes.