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.
