As expected, Iowa rolled away from Nebraska-Kearney in its exhibition opener, winning 108-29.
If you had any doubts about Iowa women’s basketball heading into the season, then this game probably didn’t mean much to you. Nevertheless, Iowa delivered a good ol’ fashioned thumping in their first exhibition game, trouncing the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers 108-29.
Now, who exactly are Nebraska-Kearney? I’m glad you asked dear viewer! (Opens Google in another tab,) the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a campus of the public University of Nebraska system and located in Kearney, Neb.
They are a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) conference in NCAA Division II. Judging by their school motto, “Be Blue. Be Gold. BE BOLD,” I’m going to guess their school colors are blue and gold.
Now, what the heck is a Loper? I haven’t been this intrigued by a school name since referencing the Southern Illinois Salukis in their 31-24 win over Northwestern. It is short for antelope, and apparently is based off of a North American antelope, which there literally are none! Their mascot is actually a pronghorn! I guess Middle-Americans wrongly refer to the pronghorn as the American antelope, so there you have it.
Some of their notable alumni include, former Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and former UFC Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman! Fox News contributor and former NWA World Television Champion (and WWE Slammy award winner for best dancer) Tyrus played football there as well. Get this, prior to transferring to Nebraska-Kearney, Tyrus went to a school in California called Antelope Valley College, so we now know why he went to play for the Lopers.
Anyway, I probably gave more attention to the Lopers than Iowa did on Friday night. This exhibition looked like if the No. 6 team in the nation played a Division II school, because it was!
Star guard Caitlin Clark scored 18 points in only 17 minutes, dishing out eight assists. Monika Czinano also scored 16 points, not missing a single one of her seven shots. I guess the big story would be freshman Hannah Stuelke who scored 18 points in her Hawkeye debut. She’s one to certainly keep an eye on for the future.
I’m not going to try and make some kind of profound statement on this game, or give you some hard-hitting takeaways. That would be absolutely silly for an exhibition that had a 79-point differential. It is good to see the Hawkeyes back in action in what is a massive season. Led by Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes have a deep squad that can make a serious run at the national championship.
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