IOWA CITY, Iowa - The nationally-ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team downed the Northern Iowa Panthers on Friday night, 92-86, inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. With the win, Iowa improves to 10-2 on the season.
The Hawkeyes were led by senior Lucy Olsen, who scored 21 points and added seven assists and six rebounds. Junior Hannah Stuelke contributed with 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while senior Addi O'Grady added 18 points and six rebounds.
Junior Taylor McCabe registered a season-high 15 points, including five three-pointers. Iowa set the pace early, taking a 23-12 lead in the first quarter. They broke away with a 10-0 run, leaving the Panthers scoreless for five minutes. Stuelke led the quarter with six points, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field.
In the second quarter, Iowa extended its lead over UNI. Iowa shot 60% from the field and 50% from three-point range, with O’Grady leading the charge with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Iowa had five Hawkeyes combining for seven three-pointers in the first half. Their bench also contributed significantly, outscoring UNI's bench 25-4, helping Iowa close the half with a 57-42 advantage.
UNI outscored Iowa 25-17, narrowing the gap to single digits, in the third quarter. Olsen led the Hawkeyes with nine points in the quarter, including a key three-pointer to halt UNI's momentum. The quarter ended with Iowa still ahead, 70-62.
UNI closed the gap to 78-77, with 4:38 remaining in the final quarter. However, Iowa maintained their lead throughout the game. Stuelke and O'Grady continued to dominate inside, while Olsen hit crucial free throws to seal the victory. Iowa's efficiency at the free-throw line, going 11-for-12 in the fourth quarter, proved pivotal in securing the win.