Hawkeyes Down Panthers

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The nationally ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team defeated UNI, 74-41, Sunday afternoon at McLeod Center. Chit-Chat Wright led the Hawkeyes with a career-high 19 points (7-8 FG), two assists, two rebounds, and a steal.   

Despite a slow start to the first quarter, Iowa was able to hold UNI to just eight points in the first 10 minutes of play. Freshman Layla Hays led the scoring for the Hawkeyes, going for six of Iowa’s 11 bench points in the quarter.   

Eight forced turnovers by the Hawkeyes were able to propel a 35-15 lead in the second quarter. Iowa was able to capitalize with 11 points off of the turnovers. Iowa was able to hold the Panthers to 33.3 percent shooting. Iowa shot at 60 percent, with seven different Hawkeyes adding to the point total. Sophomore Chit Chat Wright led with six points, going three-for-four in the quarter to give Iowa a comfortable lead at half.   

Senior Taylor McCabe came out of half with back-to-back three-point baskets to get the scoring started for Iowa. The Hawkeyes continued to dominate the scoring, leaving the Panthers without a basket in the last 4:33 of play, shooting at 10 percent. Iowa ended the quarter up, 60-26.  

The Hawkeyes closed out the fourth quarter, 74-41, led by Wright, with two more three-point baskets, notching a career-high 19 points on the day. Iowa ended the day shooting 44.1 percent on the day, closing out a strong performance against an in-state opponent.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES 
- Chit-Chat Wright recorded a new career-high with 19 points (7-8 FG), two assists, two rebounds, and a steal. 
- Wright has netted double figures in three consecutive games.  
- Through four games as a Hawkeye, Wright is 11-18 from 3-point range.  
- Layla Hays notched 14 points and seven rebounds.  
- Hays has recorded 10+ points and 5+ rebounds in three straight games.  
- Taylor McCabe has two or more 3-pointers in in four straight games and in seven out of the last nine contest dating back to last season. 
- Ava Heiden finished with eight points and six rebounds. 
- Hannah Stuelke pulled down seven rebounds and added four points.   
  
TEAM NOTES 
- The Hawkeyes have won six straight against UNI and 17 out of the last 18 in the series. 
- Iowa’s defense held Northern Iowa to its lowest offensive output in series history.  
- Iowa leads the all-time series, 28-3. 
- The Hawkeyes have started 4-0 or better in the first two seasons of the Jan Jensen era.  
- Iowa has won all four games this season by 30+ points.  
- Iowa has beaten Northern Iowa by 10+ points in five out of the last six meetings.  
- The Hawkeye defense held UNI to 15 points in the first half, the Panthers were 6-of-20 from the field and 0-6 from 3-point range.  
- All available Hawkeyes played in today’s game. 
  
UP NEXT 
The nationally ranked Iowa women’s basketball team will travel to Orlando to take on No. 7 Baylor on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. (CT). The game is part of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Showcase and it will air on ESPN2.