Hawkeyes Drum Washington State

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Washington State on Sunday afternoon, 72-43 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. With the win, Iowa remains unbeaten and improves to 6-0 on the season.

Senior Lucy Olsen led the way for the Hawkeyes with 17 points, five assists, season-high eight rebounds, and a steal. Senior Addi O’Grady followed with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Hawkeyes had a solid start to the game going on a 9-2 scoring run. Washington State responded with a strong performance from Tara Wallack, who scored eight points including a three-pointer late in the quarter. Washington State’s late push allowed them to lead, 19-18 at the end of the first. The Hawkeyes were led in the quarter by O’Grady with eight points and Lucy Olsen with five points and three rebounds.

Iowa responded with a strong start to the second quarter, holding the Cougars scoreless for the first four minutes while going on an 8-0 run, forcing a Washington State timeout. Junior Hannah Stuelke led the charge with six points and two rebounds. Defensively, the Hawkeyes held Washington State to just 12.5% shooting in the quarter, controlling the boards with 18 rebounds compared to Washington State’s seven. Iowa’s headed into halftime with a commanding, 40-23 lead.

The Hawkeyes’ defense remained relentless in the third quarter allowing only five points. Senior Sydney Affolter, freshman Taylor Stremlow, and Olsen all recorded their season-high rebounds in the quarter contributing to Iowa’s 16 rebounds in the quarter. By the end of the third, Iowa had extended their lead to, 55-28.

In the final quarter, the Hawkeyes added another 17 points to their tally. Junior Jada Gymafi’s late quarter three helped seal the 72-43 victory. Every available player recorded minutes in tonight’s matchup.

POSTGAME NOTES
– The Hawkeyes are 6-0 to start Jan Jensen’s tenure, making her the second coach in program history to do that, joining Angie Lee who started 7-0 in 1995-96.
– The last time Iowa started 6-0 or better was in 2017-18 when Lisa Bluder’s Hawkeyes began the season, 7-0.
– Iowa’s 6-0 start ties for the eighth best start in program history.
– Iowa has beaten all six opponents to start the season by double digits which has never happened in program history.
– In the second and third quarter, Iowa outscored Washington State, 37-9.
– Addi O’Grady has been in double figures in five games after having just two total games scoring in double figures over her previous two seasons.
– Hannah Stuelke registered her 42nd career game in double figures which is fifth-most in program history since 2020.
– Lucy Olsen scored 17 points, a team-best five assists, season-high eight rebounds, and a steal.
– Olsen has reached double figures and four or more assists in all six career games with Iowa.
– O’Grady, Olsen and Stuelke accounted for 26 or Iowa’s 38 points in the first half.
– Sydney Affolter (8), Lucy Olsen (8), and Taylor Stremlow (6) all recorded season-high rebounds.
– The Hawkeye defense recorded a season-high total rebounds (53), defensive rebounds (35), and offensive rebounds (18).
– Ava Heiden registered a season-high three blocks.
– Aaliyah Guyton saw her first action of the year recording two points from the charity stripe.
– Taylor McCabe was one rebound shy of tying her career-best.
– The Hawkeyes have won 115 games since 2020-21 which ties for fourth-best nationally. (115-30)
– The Hawkeyes have outscored all six teams this year in paint points.
– Iowa’s defense has held its opponent to four points in a single quarter in back-to-back games.
– The Hawkeye defense has surrendered single digits in a quarter on three occasions this season. (Kansas – 4, 1Q, Washington State – 4, 2Q, Washington State – 5, 3Q)
– Iowa’s defense held Washington State to a season-low in points.
– Iowa has outscored its opponents in the paint by 15+ points in all six contests this season.

QUOTING SUE P. BECKWITH, MD, HEAD COACH JAN JENSEN
“That’s what I loved about this game. Our freshmen stepped up when we needed them to. I was able to try a few different combinations today and we learned a ton about our team. Our team is excited to get to Cancun and compete against quality competition.”

FOLLOW US
Make sure to follow Iowa women’s basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (@IowaWBB) for news and updates all season long.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will travel to Mexico to face Rhode Island in the Cancun Challenge on Thanksgiving Day at 5:30 p.m. (CT) at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. The game is set to stream on FloCollege (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.