Hawkeyes Roll Alabama State 92–58
HawkeyesMic.com — Podcasting 11 Years of Original Content on Iowa Athletics
By Jack Brandsgard (jbrandsgard@hawkeyesmic.com) (11/12/17
Iowa used a balanced scoring effort to overpower the Alabama State Hornets 92–58.
Five different Hawkeyes reached double figures, led by Cordell Pemsl with 15 points.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this game turned out the way it did. Alabama State finished 8–23 last year, including a 1–17 record on the road, and finished tied for second-to-last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. They’re not good.
But these types of games give Iowa a chance to get experience and build cohesion, particularly on defense.
“Our attention to detail and personnel was better,” head coach Fran McCaffery said. “We were connected. Everybody, to a man, was following the gameplan and their energy level was terrific.”
Iowa’s defensive intensity led to Alabama State missing 12 straight shots, spurring an 18–0 first half run for the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s 1–2–2 press wreaked havoc on the Hornets. Alabama State turned the ball over 17 times, leading to 33 Hawkeye points.
With Nicholas Baer (hand) and Connor McCaffery (ankle) both in suits on the bench, Iowa’s rotation guys got an extended opportunity to show their skills. The Hawkeye bench outscored Alabama State’s bench 49–4.
“I’ve been high on (our bench) since the beginning,” Fran McCaffery said. “I have the same expectations for them that I have for anybody else. Everyone of those guys has been great.”
Maishe Dailey was effective off the pine, scoring a career-high 11 points in 20 minutes of action. Even Ahmad Wagner knocked down the first three of his career.
“I’ve gotten more accustomed to shooting this year in practice,” Wagner said. “Just building that confidence for myself. So when the time came in the game, I was ready to take it.”
Freshman Luka Garza continued his impressive start as a Hawkeye, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds to record his first career double-double.
“The thing I’m most happy about is the two W’s,” Garza said. “I just want to continue to win. Whatever I can do to do that, I’ll be happy with.”
The Hawkeyes will next be in action on Thursday night when they host Grambling State at 7:00pm.
Final Stats Below
