Why was Lucy Olsen absent from Iowa’s game vs Rhode Island? (Nov 28)
Lucy Olsen was scratched in Iowa's game against Rhode Island in the Cancun Challenge Riviera Division on Thursday after suffering a severe gash on her knee during practice.
Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen revealed that the Villanova transfer tripped and hit a ledge during practice. She will subsequently be monitored game by game until she returns.
"We were just getting ready for practice and she just kind of tripped, came off the floor and hit a ledge. She had a pretty significant gash on her knee. We thankfully had some team docs with us and got it taken care of," Jansen said via Des Moines Register.
The first-year coach noted that Olsen's injury isn't season-ending and she'll be ready to play when the wound fully recovers.
"But it’s just a game-by game situation because it was a pretty substantial cut. But nothing season-altering or season-ending. It’s just a pretty tough cut. We just want to be careful with it and be smart because the season is still really young. Lucy is as tough as they come and when she’s ready to roll," she added.
The 5-foot-10 senior was as good as advertised for No. 22 Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes' offense on averages of 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.3 rebounds on 48.9% shooting. Olsen is one of the major reasons for Iowa's continued success post-Caitlin Clark.
Iowa bucks Lucy Olsen's absence, rolls past Rhode Island for seventh win
Iowa (7-0) notched its seventh-straight win after beating Rhode Island 69-62 in the Cancun Challenge Riviera Division on Thursday. Without prized transfer Lucy Olsen on the court, the Hawkeyes were into a dogfight with Rhode Island in the first three quarters before pulling away in the payoff period.
Addison O'Grady continued her hot start for the 2024-25 women's college basketball season, tallying 18 points, five rebounds, two assists and three blocks. The 6-foot-4 forward made 8-of-9 attempts from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line in another great game for Iowa.
Hannah Stuelke contributed 13 points while Kylie Feuerbach took up Olsen's role, scoring 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and one block. Taylor McCabe and Aaliyah Guyton led Iowa's bench, scoring eight and seven points, respectively.
Harsimran Kaur led Rhode Island (4-4) with a game-high 21 points while Ines Debroise added 12.
The Hawkeyes will aim for their eighth-straight win against BYU on Friday in the tournament's second day.
Will Iowa continue its winning run without Lucy Olsen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.