Iowa Opens Season With 76-54 Win Over Lipscomb
Jaidyn Coon led the Hawkeyes off the bench with 12 points and six rebounds in front of more than 10,000 fans in Iowa City.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
Iowa defeated Lipscomb 76-54 on Tuesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in its 2026-27 season opener. More than 10,000 fans attended the game in Iowa City.
Why it matters
The win gives the Hawkeyes a strong start to the season and offers an early look at their depth, with bench contributions playing a visible role in the victory for the Iowa City community.
Jaidyn Coon shot 5-of-8 from the field for 12 points and grabbed six rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench. Iowa made four of its first 11 shots, while Takai Simpkins finished 5-of-13 from the field.
The players
Jaidyn Coon
Jaidyn Coon is an Iowa forward from Storm Lake who gained 20 pounds since the offseason and provided a spark off the bench in the opener.
The details
Coon entered with 10:49 left in the first half and scored on a pair of alley-oop dunks that helped Iowa build a double-digit lead. He also defended Simpkins, who struggled to score efficiently against him.
Timeline
Tuesday night (November 3, 2026): Iowa defeats Lipscomb 76-54 in its season opener at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Season Trajectory
The opening result gives Iowa an early statement of bench depth heading into a season where rotation strength will shape its conference positioning. Early-season wins like this one help set the tone for how the Hawkeyes are viewed as the schedule develops.
Coon's production off the bench gives fantasy and bench-depth watchers an early indicator of how Iowa's rotation may distribute minutes. Fans attending Carver-Hawkeye Arena can expect the bench to be a regular part of the game plan.
The takeaway
Early bench production can reveal rotation options before conference play begins, making the opener a useful signal for how depth may be used across the season.
Further reading
Follow more coverage in the Basketball section for Iowa City.
