Jok Leads Hawkeyes to Opening Night Victory 94–71 Over Kennesaw State
Iowa City, Iowa — The Hawkeyes took care of business against Kennesaw State, putting forth a solid effort on both ends of the floor en route to a 94–71 win.
Iowa’s defense could have been more consistent, as they again came out flat to start the second half. Kennesaw State took advantage of the Hawkeyes’ breakdowns to go on a 5–0 mini spurt, prompting the first regular season Red Face Fran of the year.
“Defensively in the first half, we had stretches where we were really good,” McCaffery said of his group. “But it’s not unlike what we had in the (Regis) game; we had stretches where we weren’t as good.”
The Hawkeyes forced 21 turnovers, leading to 27 points. Iowa’s bench provided a spark, as Ahmad Wagner (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Cordell Pemsl (10 points, 6 rebounds) were productive off the pine.
“I thought (Pemsl) was really good,” McCaffery said of the freshman, “He picked us up when he first came in, and he gave us a low post presence.”
Tyler Cook, McCaffery’s prized recruit, struggled in his regular season debut, scoring six points on just 1–7 shooting and recording four turnovers.
“I wouldn’t even say that,” Cook told reporters when asked if he was too amped up for his first collegiate game. “It was just getting used to after the fall.”
The fall that Cook is referring too is the one he took early in the first half, when he landed hard on his tailbone after leaping for a rebound. Cook wasn’t the only Hawkeye shaken up, as point guard Christian Williams was held out of the majority of the second half for precautionary reasons.
“My back just kind of stiffened up a little bit,” said Williams, who scored four points and dished out five assists. “(McCaffery) just didn’t want to put me in because we have a game Sunday.”
Ahmad Wagner contributed valuable minutes, posting 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots. The star of the game, however, was Peter Jok, who rang the bell for 27 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Jok came out ultra-aggressive, finishing 11–19 from the field.
“I’m not a selfish player,” Jok said when asked about his shot tally. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the winning. So, if I have to take 30 shots to win, I’ll do it. If I have to take 10 shots to win, then I’ll do that, too.”
With Jok leading the way, the Hawkeyes seem to be in a good place.
By Jack Brandsgard — 11/11/16
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