Hawkeyes Sneak Past Canes

ORLANDO, Florida - No. 19 Iowa (6-0) defeated Miami (4-1) on Saturday night in Orlando at the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Showcase, 64-61 inside State Farm Field House. 

Sophomore Ava Heiden led the Hawkeyes with 20 points and six rebounds. Senior Hannah Stuelke followed close behind with her first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds.   

The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, leaving Iowa with a narrow 14-13 lead. The Hawkeyes came out strong with a 6-0 lead with three consecutive layups. Heiden led the quarter, going 2-for-2 on field goals and free-throws. Both teams held the other scoreless for different two and a half minute periods.   

Iowa took control of the second quarter to give themselves a 36-28 lead at halftime. The Hawkeyes shot 58.8 percent in the quarter on field goals. Stuelke and Heiden had a combined 11 points shooting a collective 100 percent from the floor. Iowa’s defense held Miami to 2-of-11 on three-point shooting for the half.   

Both teams came out of half ready to battle. Taylor Stremlow propelled the Hawkeyes defense with five rebounds, two steals and a block. Taylor McCabe came alive for Iowa’s offense with eight points including two, three-point baskets to help finish out the third quarter up, 55-46.  

The Hawkeyes were able to hang on in an intense final quarter. Heiden and Stuelke came out with two quick baskets to start the fourth. Miami was able to leave Iowa scoreless for 6:20 where they made a 10-2 run to get within two. Graduate student Kylie Feuerbach came in clutch making 3-of-4 from the free throw line to keep Iowa ahead. Iowa’s defense was able to hold strong on Miami's last possession of the game to close out the victory. 

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with 20 points and six rebounds. (9-11 FG)
- Heiden started the game 9-of-9 from the floor.
- It was Heiden’s fifth game of the season in double figures.
- Taylor Stremlow tied her career-best with eight rebounds, seven points, and five assists. 
- Stremlow made her first start this season. 
- Hannah Stuelke registered her 12th career double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. 
- It was her 66th career game in double digits, the most among any active Hawkeye. 
- Stuelke eclipsed 1,200 career points which is good for 32nd-most in program history.
- Taylor McCabe added 11 points and eight rebounds which tied her career-best. 
- McCabe notched her 15th career game in double figures. 
- It was McCabe’s first career game with 10+ points and 5+ rebounds.

TEAM NOTES
- Iowa is 6-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94. (C. Vivian Stringer)
- The Hawkeyes improved to 5-0 all-time against the Hurricanes. 
- Iowa is 6-0 for the ninth time in program history. 
- The Hawkeyes led for 39:29. 
- Iowa outscored Miami, 46-26 in paint points. 

UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes return home to face Western Illinois on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on B1G+.