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.”
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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.