Iowa Women’s Basketball Dominates Ohio State in a High-Scoring Victory

The No. 10 Iowa women’s basketball team returned home on Sunday and delivered a commanding performance, defeating the No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes 91-70 in front of a packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This win marked another significant milestone for the Hawkeyes as they remain undefeated in Big Ten play with a perfect 9-0 record, a feat not seen since the 1995-96 season.

Key Performers and Game Highlights

Addie Deal led the charge for Iowa with a career-high 20 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field, including 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. She also contributed 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 32 minutes of action. Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden both added 18 points each, while Chit-Chat Wright chipped in with 14 points to round out the quartet of double-digit scorers.

Stuelke had an impressive double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds, along with 1 assist, 1 block, and 1 steal in 30 minutes. Her performance was instrumental in Iowa’s dominance on the glass.

Iowa shot an impressive 37-of-64 from the floor, 9-of-22 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-12 from the free-throw line. The Hawkeyes outrebounded Ohio State 48-30, with a staggering 40-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. They also outscored the Buckeyes in the paint by a margin of 42-14.

Despite Ohio State’s strong shooting from three-point range (14-of-34), Iowa’s defense held firm, forcing 11 turnovers, including 8 steals and 5 blocks. These turnovers translated into 16 points for the Hawkeyes.

Game Progression and Momentum

From the start, Iowa controlled the tempo of the game, leading 24-14 after the first quarter. Hannah Stuelke was a key contributor, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line in just 13 minutes. However, the game took a turn when Taylor McCabe, a starting player for Iowa, suffered an apparent noncontact knee injury early in the first quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

This injury forced Addie Deal to step up her game, and she responded with a strong performance that included a career-high 20 points. With McCabe sidelined, Iowa adjusted its strategy, and the team continued to dominate throughout the game.

At halftime, Iowa led 48-32, showing control in every aspect of the game. They shot 19-of-33 from the field, 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. Ohio State struggled offensively, shooting just 13-of-28 overall, with no free-throw attempts.

As the game progressed, Iowa continued to build its lead, extending it to 71-51 at the end of the third quarter. Despite some late-game efforts by Ohio State, including making several open three-pointers, Iowa maintained its composure and secured the victory.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Iowa is riding high as they prepare for upcoming games against USC and No. 3 UCLA in California. The Hawkeyes are currently on a winning streak and have shown the ability to adapt and overcome challenges, such as the injury to Taylor McCabe.

Schedule and How to Watch

For fans looking to catch the Hawkeyes in action, the team has a busy schedule ahead:

• Jan. 29 vs. USC: Streamed on Peacock at 8 p.m.
• Feb. 1 vs. UCLA: Broadcasted on Fox at 3 p.m.
• Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota: Available on the Big Ten Network at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 11 vs. Washington: Streaming on BTN+ at 6:30 p.m.
• Feb. 16 at Nebraska: Broadcasted on Fox at 11 a.m.
• Feb. 19 at Purdue: Streaming on BTN+ at 6 p.m.
• Feb. 22 vs. Michigan: Available on Fox or FS1 at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
• Feb. 26 vs. Illinois: On the Big Ten Network at 8 p.m.
• March 1 at Wisconsin: Streaming on BTN+ at 2 p.m.
• March 4-8: Big Ten Tournament

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Final Thoughts

This victory over Ohio State was a testament to Iowa’s resilience and depth. With key players stepping up and the team maintaining its focus, the Hawkeyes are well-positioned for a successful season. As they head west for their next set of games, the momentum is clearly on their side.