Hawkeyes Stifle Gophers to Win Fourth in a Row

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Minnesota, 68-60, on Thursday night inside Williams Arena. 

Junior Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 17 points, reaching her 1,000th career point milestone, and also grabbed seven rebounds. Senior Lucy Olsen followed with 14 points and 7 assists, while senior Sydney Affolter contributed a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Senior Kylie Feuerbach also added 13 points.

In the first quarter, Iowa came out strong putting up 18 points compared to the Gophers' seven. The Hawkeyes capitalized behind the arc, sinking four threes and dominating the boards with 13 rebounds. Affolter led the charge with two threes, tallying six points. Defensively, Iowa held Minnesota to just 25 percent shooting and forced six turnovers.

Iowa maintained its rhythm in the second quarter, adding 14 points. The Hawkeyes grabbed 10 rebounds, with Affolter pulling down five of her own. In the paint, Stuelke and senior Addison O’Grady dominated each scoring four points. Iowa went into the locker room with a 32-21 lead.

In the third quarter, Minnesota fought back, outscoring the Hawkeyes, 16-11. Olsen led Iowa with five points in the period, and Affolter was again dominant on the boards, grabbing five rebounds. The Gophers downed two free throws in the final minute to narrow Iowa's lead to 43-37 going into the final quarter.

Minnesota went on a run to tie the game for the first time with 4:33 left to play. However, the Hawkeyes responded with a decisive 13-3 run to regain their lead, never allowing the Gophers to take control. Led by Hannah Stuelke, who scored nine points in the final 10 minutes, Iowa outscored Minnesota, 25-23 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

POSTGAME NOTES
- Hannah Stuelke became the 44th Hawkeye to record 1,000 career points on Thursday night.
- Stuelke led the Hawkeyes with 17 points (7-11 FG), seven rebounds, and two assists.
- Stuelke reached double figures for the 53rd time in her career.
- Iowa’s defense held Minnesota to season-low 60 points at home.
- Iowa has won seven games this season scoring 75 or less which is the most in a season since 2018-19. (12)
- Lucy Olsen finished with 14 points, a team-high seven assists, and four rebounds.
- Olsen has dished out seven or more assists four times this season.
- Sydney Affolter registered her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
- Affolter has grabbed double digit rebounds four times this year.
- Affolter has 9 or more rebounds in four out of the last six games.
- Kylie Feuerbach notched 13 points (4-4 FT), four rebounds, and three assists.
- Iowa has now won four consecutive Big Ten games, its longest winning streak in conference play this season.
- The Hawkeyes have beaten Minnesota 11 times in a row.
- Iowa leads the all-time series, 61-27.
- The Hawkeyes handed Minnesota its second home loss of the season, the Gophers have 12 wins at home which is second-most in the league.
- Iowa has won 12 in a row in the Twin Cities including two Big Ten Tournament Championships.
- Iowa has outscored its last two opponents 36-11 in the first quarter.
- In the final quarter, Iowa was 7-of-9 from the free throw line.
- Iowa jumped out to a 13-2 lead to pace the game.
- Iowa improved to 13-3 when leading at halftime this season.
- In Big Ten play, Iowa is 59-16 over the last four years.

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UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will travel to Nebraska on Monday, Feb. 10. Tip-off inside Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will air on BTN and the Hawkeye Radio Network.