As a team that’s made the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons and one that shoots the three as well as anyone in the country, Fairfield came out strong in the first quarter, testing the Hawkeyes with pressure defense and shooting three after three to take an early lead. The Stags led with a 17-9 run in the first five minutes, giving Iowa its largest deficit of the season. Iowa collected themselves and scored 12 of their 17 first quarter points in the paint as the defense clamped down by shutting down the Stags, leaving them scoreless in the last four minutes, ending the first quarter down by five only points.
The Hawkeyes responded in the second quarter, making four consecutive baskets to tie it 24-24, forcing a Fairfield timeout. Senior Taylor McCabe drained two of the Hawkeyes four three-point baskets in the quarter to lead the team with six points. Iowa’s defense was able to force five turnovers. Freshman Addie Deal had two steals in the second and drained five points in the last minute to send Iowa into halftime up, 41-35.
Coming out of halftime, it was a defensive battle on both sides of the ball. The Stags were held to just 30.8 percent field goal shooting and 33.3 percent from three as Iowa contested all shots and smothered the Stags on the perimeter, causing two shot clock violations to turn the momentum. Sophomore Taylor Stremlow had four of Iowa’s nine rebounds in the quarter and one assist. The Hawkeyes were able to extend their lead to 56-45 by the end of the quarter.
Two Hawkeyes dominated the final quarter to help secure a Hawkeye win. Feuerbach drained three deep treys in the fourth, to tie her career-high in points. Heiden found nine points of her own with two baskets in the paint and five from the free throw line. Fairfield ended up making a school record 18 three pointers.
Next up for the Hawkeyes is a road trip to Rutgers for the Big Ten regular season opener on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. (CT). The game will air on FS1 and the Hawkeye Radio Network. Coverage of Hawkeye football is brought to you by Ed Morse Chevy, Buick and GMC, Meineke Muffler, Muscatine Power and Water and Community Health Care Dental Clinic.
