Iowa Women’s Basketball Dominates Southern 86-51 in Season Opener
No. 21 Iowa women’s basketball opened their season with a bang, crushing Southern 86-51. The Hawkeyes showed off their depth and resilience, shaking off a slow start and pulling away as the game wore on.
Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke really stood out. Heiden dropped 21 points and snagged 14 rebounds, while Stuelke added 20 points and nine boards. Their energy helped Iowa overcome some early hiccups and build a big lead.
Key Performances Drive Iowa’s Victory
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Heiden and Stuelke led the way for the Hawkeyes. Heiden’s 21 points and 14 rebounds paired nicely with Stuelke’s 20 points and nine rebounds.
They helped Iowa break through Southern’s early defense and take control of the game.
Ava Heiden’s Impact
Heiden put on a show, leading the team in scoring and dominating the glass. She nailed both field goals and free throws, keeping Iowa’s momentum alive.
Her back-to-back three-point plays during a 17-0 run in the second quarter stood out, pushing Iowa’s lead even further.
Hannah Stuelke’s Contribution
Stuelke chipped in 20 points and just missed a double-double. Her steady presence gave Iowa another reliable scoring option.
She also added muscle to Iowa’s rebounding, which turned out to be a big deal in this game.
Team Performance and Statistics
The Hawkeyes shook off some early struggles and pulled away, thanks to sharp shooting and a huge rebounding edge. They shot 52% from the floor, though their 3-point shooting didn’t quite click, making just 4 of 18 attempts.
Shooting Efficiency
Even with the rough night from deep, Iowa shot well overall. They made up for it at the free-throw line, sinking 22 of 28.
Those free throws helped keep their lead safe and even let them stretch it out as the game went on.
Rebounding Dominance
Iowa absolutely owned the boards, out-rebounding Southern 52-21. That led to tons of second-chance points and made it tough for Southern to get anything going.
Rebounding was a huge part of Iowa’s game plan, and it paid off big time.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Despite the big win, Iowa’s 24 turnovers stood out as a problem. Sloppy play like that could really hurt against tougher teams.
Their 3-point shooting also needs work if they want a more balanced attack.
Turnover Issues
Those turnovers are something Iowa can’t ignore. They’ll need to tighten up their ball handling and decision-making as the season goes on.
3-Point Shooting
Going 4 for 18 from deep just isn’t going to cut it. Better shot selection and more confidence from outside would open up their offense and keep defenses honest.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Iowa faces Baylor at the WBCA Showcase on November 20. That’s a big test against a Power 4 team and should give a clearer picture of where this squad stands.
Upcoming Game Against Baylor
Taking on Baylor will push Iowa early in the season. It’ll be a chance to see if they can clean up the turnovers and find their range from deep.
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Season Outlook
The Iowa women’s basketball team kicked off the season on a high note. That strong start set a confident tone right from the jump.
They’ll need to keep their eyes on improvement, especially in a few key areas. Consistency from their top players could make all the difference as things heat up.
With tougher opponents on the horizon, the team’s depth and grit are about to get a real test. Still, it feels like they’ve got a solid foundation in place.
For more details on Iowa’s opening win over Southern, you can read the full article on Lancaster Online.