The University of Iowa women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 85-80 victory over Northwestern on Tuesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In front of a sold-out crowd, the Hawkeyes overcame an early deficit and held off a late push from the Wildcats to claim the win.
Stuelke’s Career Night Fuels Hawkeyes
Junior forward Hannah Stuelke delivered a dominant performance, scoring a career-high 26 points while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Stuelke, returning after missing two games due to a concussion, played a crucial role in keeping Iowa in control. Senior Lucy Olsen added 16 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while freshman Aaliyah Guyton stepped up with 15 points, including three three-pointers. Senior Sydney Affolter contributed 13 points and matched Guyton with three treys of her own.
Resilient Comeback After Early Deficit
Northwestern came out strong, shooting 4-for-5 from deep and jumping out to a 10-point lead. However, Iowa quickly responded with a 7-0 run, closing the first quarter down just 23-20 after a buzzer-beating three from Guyton.
The second quarter saw both teams exchanging leads, but Iowa’s 9-0 run shifted momentum. Stuelke’s late buckets sent the Hawkeyes into halftime with a 41-38 advantage.
Maintaining Control in the Second Half
Iowa continued to build its lead in the third quarter, outscoring Northwestern by six. Key contributions from Guyton and Affolter helped the Hawkeyes carry a 62-56 advantage into the final period.
Despite Northwestern’s late push, Iowa’s efficiency at the free-throw line (18-of-20) and strong defensive execution in the closing minutes secured the victory.
Postgame Notes and Takeaways
Stuelke’s 26 points mark her ninth career 20+ point game, tying her for fourth-most in program history since 2019-20.
Olsen and Affolter showcased their all-around games, each finishing with double-digit points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds.
Iowa dominated inside, outscoring Northwestern 38-26 in the paint.
The Hawkeyes extended their streak of scoring 80+ points, leading the nation with 115 such games since 2020-21.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena saw its 31st consecutive sellout, the longest streak in the country.
Final Thoughts
Iowa’s ability to respond to early adversity and close out a competitive game highlights the team’s resilience. With Stuelke’s return providing an offensive boost and key role players stepping up, the Hawkeyes continue to solidify themselves as one of the Big Ten’s top contenders. The win also extends Iowa’s dominance over Northwestern, having won five of the last six matchups.
As the season progresses, Iowa’s combination of offensive firepower and experience will be crucial in navigating a competitive conference schedule.