Heiden Smashes Career-Highs in Home Opener Win

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The nationally ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Southern University in their home opener, 86-51, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday night.  

Sophomore Ava Heiden and senior Hannah Stuelke had standout performances. Heiden collected her first career double-double with a career-high 21 points and career-high 14 rebounds. Stuelke hit 73 percent (8-11) of her field goals, tallying 20 points and nine rebounds on the day.  

The Iowa offense started the game with a collective attack, finishing the first quarter closely ahead, 15-14. Five different Hawkeyes scored in the first, while Heiden led the pack with six points and four rebounds.  

Iowa propelled themselves forward in the second quarter after going on an 11-2 run in the first five minutes. The Hawkeyes drew 16 of their 20 quarter points from the paint and forced seven opponent turnovers. Heiden continued to lead with a dominant nine points, followed by Stuelke with five points, shooting 100 percent in the quarter. Iowa headed to the locker room with a 37-24 advantage at half.  

The Hawkeyes continued their momentum in the third quarter, extending the lead, 61-39. Sophomore Chit-Chat Wright gathered her seventh assist of the game in the third, and the Iowa defense forced four more turnovers.  

In the final quarter, Iowa was able to take control, closing out the game with a 25-12 advantage. Sophomore Emely Rodriguez added seven points to help close out the Hawkeye win.  

INDIVIDUAL NOTES  
- Hannah Stuelke registered 20 points (8-11 FG) and nine rebounds.  
- It was her 62nd career game in double digits, the most among any active Hawkeye.  
- Stuelke is now tied with Makenzie Meyer for the 13th most games with 10+ points in program history since 2009.  
- It was Stuelke’s first 20-point performance since March 2, 2025.  
- Ava Heiden recorded her first career double-double with 24 points (8-13 FG) and 14 rebounds, both of which were game-highs.  
- Heiden is the 15th player in program history to notch a 20-point double-double and seventh sophomore since 2009.  
- Heiden tied her career-high with 15 points (Murray State) and eight rebounds (Purdue) in the first half. 
- Chit-Chat Wright tied her career-best with seven assists, she reached that mark twice at Georgia Tech.
- Emely Rodriguez notched her first double digit performance as a Hawkeye. She has reach 10+ points in five straight games dating back to last season.  
- True freshmen Addie Deal, Layla Hays, and Journey Houston all notched their first official points as Hawkeyes in the first half.  

TEAM NOTES  
- Tonight’s game marks the third consecutive sellout in a season opening game in Iowa women’s basketball history. (14,998)  
- Iowa extended its home sell out streak to 37 games which is the longest active streak nationally.  
- The Hawkeyes have won 26 consecutive season openers.  
- Iowa is 4-0 all-time against Southern.  
- The Hawkeyes led the game for 36:41.  
- Iowa is 97-6 when recording 80+ points and 20+ assists in a game since 2018-19.  

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UP NEXT  
The nationally ranked Iowa women’s basketball team will play host to Evansville on Sunday, Nov. 9 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 2 p.m. (CT). The game will air on B1G+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.