| Hawk central
IOWA CITY, Ia. – After a delay related to COVID-19 for several hours, the Iowa women’s basketball game scheduled for Thursday against Michigan will start at around 8:30 pm at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Initially scheduled to start at 3:30 pm, the game was delayed “in conjunction with the COVID-19 protocols”.
Michigan and Iowa officials initially returned to the stage at around 7:15 pm, and Hawkeyes players, Lauren Jensen, Tomi Taiwo, Alexis Sevillian and Zion Sanders did the same five minutes later. Eventually, the entire Iowa squad returned to a shooting game – except second-year guard Gabbie Marshall and striker Logan Cook. Michigan players also returned to the court.
“(The players) are gaining momentum to get up for the game, so they will have to slow down a bit and then be prepared to come back whenever there is a complaint,” Iowa Assistant coach Raina Harmon said in the pre-game program for around 3:30 pm (CT), just after the official game delay. “So again, we are not going to settle for anything because the dynamics have changed around this game. We expect focus and 100 percent effort from our team.”
It was clear that something was wrong well before the originally scheduled time. Iowa initially went out for warm-ups before snuggling close to the bench and eventually leaving the court. Michigan never went out for warm-up.
The Wolverines were recently on a break at COVID-19, having six games postponed (including five in a row) between January 18 and February 7. Michigan has played four games since the end of the break. Iowa did not have to take a break this season, but had two games postponed by COVID-19.
“Both institutions have decided to delay the game in conjunction with the COVID-19 protocols and will play later today, if possible,” said an Iowa statement, which fell around 3:15 pm. “If the game is not played today, the teams will work with the Big Ten Conference to reschedule the contest.
“The decision to take a break and postpone was made jointly by the Michigan and Iowa Departments of Athletics and sports medicine teams in consultation with the Big Ten Conference.”
Men’s Basketball: Iowa vs. Michigan:
Dargan Southard covers Iowa athletics and UNI, recruitment and preparation for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Send an email to [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.