Hawkeyes Come Up Short at Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Michigan - The nationally-ranked Iowa women’s basketball team fell to Michigan State, 68-66, in its Big Ten opener on Sunday afternoon inside the Breslin Center.

Junior Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 18 points and eight rebounds. Lucy Olsen followed with 13 points and three rebounds, and Kylie Feuerbach contributed 12 points and three rebounds.

The first quarter was tightly contested until the Spartans closed with a 5-0 run, securing a 16-12 lead. Stuelke led the scoring with seven points, while Feuerbach added a three-pointer. Iowa dominated the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds compared to Michigan State's six.

In the second quarter, the Hawkeyes surged ahead with a 7-1 run, taking the lead with six minutes remaining. Key contributions from Stuelke and Olsen, who each scored five points, helped Iowa head into halftime with a 33-28 advantage. Iowa outscored Michigan State 21-12 in the second quarter after nine lead changes in the first 18 minutes.

Iowa held a nine-point lead in the third quarter maintaining the lead throughout the period. Olsen hit two three-pointers to keep the Hawkeyes ahead. However, the Spartans managed to reduce the Iowa lead with a 6-0 scoring run to close out the third, outscoring the Hawkeyes 21-19.

In the final quarter, Michigan State mounted a significant comeback. The Spartans went on a 14-0 scoring run and took the final lead with 5:45 remaining in the game. Despite effort from Iowa, Michigan State edged out a victory.

POSTGAME NOTES
- The Hawkeyes are 55-19 in Big Ten play over the last five seasons.
- Lucy Olsen netted 13 points and three assists.
- Olsen has recorded double figures in all nine career starts for Iowa.
- Hannah Stuelke recorded a team-high 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
- Stuelke has 46 career games in double figures.
- It was Stuelke’s sixth game this season with eight or more rebounds which is a team-high.
- Kylie Feuerbach tied her career-high with four 3-pointers made against a Big Ten team.
- Iowa is 104-158 all-time against AP Top 25 foes.
- Today’s game featured 10 lead changes and six ties.
- Iowa finished the game 1-of-11 from the field.
- The Hawkeyes had three players reach double figures. (Feuerbach, Olsen, and Stuelke)
- Iowa was 19-of-26 from the free throw line.

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UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes are set to host to Northern Iowa on Friday, Dec. 20. Tip-off inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will broadcast on BTN+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.