Hawkeyes Down Ashland In Exhibition

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The nationally ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team kicked off their season with a dominate win against Ashland University, 104-63 in an exhibition at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday night. 

Iowa had four players reach double-digits, led by senior Hannah Stuelke with 23 points. Sophmore transfer Emely Rodriguez contributed 17 points of her own with four assists. This game marked the first career start for sophomore Chit-Chat Wright as a Hawkeye.  

The Hawkeyes came out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 26-15 advantage. Key contributions came from sophomore Ava Heiden who tallied eight points and six rebounds, followed by Stuelke and Rodriguez with five a piece. Wright added four points and two assists of her own. 

Iowa kept up their dominance in the second quarter, extending their lead to 51-27 at halftime. Eight different Hawkeyes contributed in the quarter including nine points off the bench. Iowa kept Ashland scoreless for five straight minutes during the second, going on a 15-0 run making 6-of-7 field goal attempts. 

The third quarter continued to show intensity as Iowa ended up leading 81-46, thanks to a strong performance by Stuelke who scored 11 in the quarter. The Hawkeyes cashed in seven points on three forced turnovers and collected 20 points in the paint.  

In the final quarter, Iowa was able to maintain control, closing out the game with a 21-17 run. Freshman Layla Hays added seven points and three rebounds in her first game as a Hawkeye.  

 

INDIVIDUAL NOTES 
- Senior Hannah Stuelke led all Iowa scorers at halftime with 10 points and six rebounds. She finished with a team-high 23 points, shooting 10-of-16 from the field along with nine rebounds.  
- Ava Heiden notched a double-double with 14 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.  
- Sophomore Emely Rodriguez registered double figures for the first time as a Hawkeye. Rodriguez netted 17 points (3-3 3FG) with perfect shooting from deep and four assists.  
- Shooting guard Taylor McCabe added nine points shooting 50 percent from behind the arc. (3-6)  
- Point guard Chit-Chat Wright finished the game with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and four assists.  
- True freshmen Addie Deal, Layla Hays and Journey Houston all played and scored points in the first half. 

TEAM NOTES 
- All 14 Hawkeyes on the roster saw action in the exhibition contest.  
- Iowa scored 66 points in the paint.  
- The Hawkeyes shot 56 percent from the field. (42-75) 

FOLLOW US 
Make sure to follow Iowa women’s basketball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (@IowaWBB) for news and updates all season long. 

UP NEXT 
The Hawkeyes open the regular season Nov. 3, hosting Southern University at 6:30 p.m. (CT). The contest will stream on B1G+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.