Oregon Outlasts Iowa

EUGENE, Oregon – The University of Iowa women’s basketball team fell to Oregon, 49-50, on Sunday afternoon inside the Matthew Knight Arena.

Senior Sydney Affolter secured a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Addi O'Grady scored 10 points and grabbed two rebounds.

Iowa started strong with an 11-0 run highlighted by three consecutive baskets from O’Grady, and the Hawkeyes' defense held the Ducks scoreless until 2:55 remained in the quarter. In the final two minutes, the Ducks managed to hit back-to-back jumpers, but freshman Aaliyah Guyton responded with a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Hawkeyes a 17-7 lead.

In the second quarter, Iowa continued to hit shots with McCabe, Affolter, and Guyton each hitting three-pointers to extend their lead to as many as 15 points. Oregon responded with an 8-0 run, but Iowa's defense prevented the Ducks from closing the gap to less than seven points. Despite Oregon's late push, Iowa finished the half with a 32-22 lead.

Coming out of halftime, McCabe opened the third quarter with a three-pointer for the Hawkeyes. The game remained tightly contested throughout the period, with Oregon sinking back-to-back baskets late to cut Iowa’s lead to six. The Hawkeyes headed into the final 10 minutes up 41-35.

Oregon surged late in the game sinking nine straight points to claim their first lead with six minutes remaining. Freshman Ava Heiden added two free throws to push the Ducks' lead to one, followed by two more baskets from the Ducks to extend the advantage to five. Iowa quickly responded with a jumper from Affolter and a layup by O’Grady, narrowing the gap to just one point with a minute left. In a tense final stretch with baskets exchanged on both sides, Oregon managed to hold on and secure the victory.

POSTGAME NOTES
- Sydney Affolter set a new career-high with 15 rebounds – she became the 11th Hawkeye since 2009 to record 15+ rebounds in a single game
- Affolter registered double digit rebounds for the eighth time in her career and for the first time in back-to-back games.
- Affolter has grabbed eight or more rebounds in four out the last five games.
- Affolter netted her second double-double of the season in as many games with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
- Iowa jumped out to 11-point lead holding Oregon’s offense scoreless for 7:05 to begin the game.
- The Hawkeyes defense held the Ducks to 25 percent from the field in the first quarter. (3-12)
- Iowa held Oregon to 32 percent shooting from the floor going 9-for-28 in the first half.
- Taylor McCabe has hit a pair of 3-pointers in five Big Ten games this season.
- McCabe is shooting a team-best 16-of-40 from deep in conference action. (16-38 coming into today)
- Hannah Stuelke was ruled out of today’s game due to suffering a concussion against Nebraska. She is day-to-day.
- Kylie Feuerbach has recorded five or more assists three times this season.
- Iowa tried its fourth different starting lineup in as many games.
- The Hawkeyes have outrebounded 17 of their 19 opponents this season.
- Iowa outrebounded Oregon, 40-26.
- Iowa led the game for 32:06.

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UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes are set to travel to Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tip-off inside Alaska Airlines Arena is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and will air on Peacock (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.