No. 14-ranked Iowa women’s basketball (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) returns from the Christmas break on a strong note as the Hawkeyes defeat Penn State (7-6, 0-2 Big Ten) by a score of 99-76 from Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Dec. 28.
Ava Heiden’s career-best 27 points on 13-for-19 from the floor and 1-for-1 from the free throw line carried Iowa offensively, with Chit-Chat Wright’s 16 points, and Hannah Stuelke and Taylor Stremlow’s 14 points rounding out the score sheet.
Additionally, freshman guard Jouney Houston recorded the first double-double of her Hawkeyes career, posting 11 points and 11 rebounds alongside three assists and one steal in 19 minutes off the bench.
In terms of points in the pain, the Hawkeyes dominated the Nittany Lions by outscoring Penn State by a 56-34 margin.
Defensively, Iowa forced 20 Penn State turnovers, including 11 steals and five blocks.
Final: Iowa 99, Penn State 76
In Heaven, there is no beer!
Hawkeyes Win!
3:09 4th QTR: Iowa 95, Penn State 73
Timeout Iowa.
Jensen calls a timeout to make sure the Hawkeyes can close out this game effectively and weather a late Penn State push.
4:53 4th QTR: Iowa 87, Penn State 67
Timeout Penn State.
With the lead as large as it is, Iowa has lacked a bit of awareness recently, which has fueled a Penn State scoring run.
8:52 4th QTR: Iowa 77, Penn State 52
Update: Iowa’s appeal is successful, with the Hawkeyes gaining possession and retaining their timeout.
8:52 4th QTR: Iowa 77, Penn State 52
Iowa has called a timeout to appeal a possession call that has Penn State gaining the ball, but Jensen believes the ball deflected off Nittany Lions’ Gracie Merkle.
End of 3rd QTR: Iowa 73, Penn State 52
Hawkeyes lead by 21 points after three quarters, with the game all but final.
Heiden’s 23 points on 11-for-16 from the floor and 1-for-1 from the free throw line lead all players in scoring.
1:12 3rd QTR: Iowa 71, Penn State 50
Timeout Penn State.
Ava Heiden now has a career-high 23 points through nearly three quarters of play.
Hawkeyes are running away with this contest as the Nittany Lions cannot find an answer to the 6-foot-4 center in the paint.
4:17 3rd QTR: Iowa 63, Penn State 48
Media Timeout.
Iowa is continuing to get buckets in transition, but Penn State’s 3-point shooting has kept the Nittany Lions within striking distance.
Hawkeyes will need to keep scoring efficiently to fend off a fearless Nittany Lions squad.
First Half Frames
Halftime: Iowa 49, Penn State 37
Despite Penn State making a run and Iowa’s offense cooling off a bit in the second quarter, the Hawkeyes still enter the halftime break with a 12-point advantage.
Leading the Hawkeyes in scoring is Ava Heiden with 17 points on 8-for-12 from the floor and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line. Wright also has double figures in scoring with 12 points of her own.
Defensively, Iowa has forced 13 Penn State turnovers, including six steals and one block.
4:14 2nd QTR: Iowa 40, Penn State 26
Previous play is under review for a potential flagrant foul on Taylor Stremlow for making contact with a Penn State player while taking the ball over the mid-court logo.
Update: No foul. Contact was inadvertent.
7:03 2nd QTR: Iowa 35, Penn State 22
Timeout Iowa.
Jan Jensen calls a timeout after the Hawkeyes’ recent miscues have sprung a bit of life from the Nittany Lions.
End of 1st QTR: Iowa 29, Penn State 14
Hawkeyes are on fire offensively through the first quarter of play (shooting 10-for-16 from the floor), while also dominating the defensive glass (leading 7-2 in defensive rebounds) and keeping Penn State off-synch.
Chit-Chat Wright leads everyone with 12 points on 4-for-4 from the floor, 2-for-2 from 3-point territory, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
4:45 1st QTR: Iowa 21, Penn State 8
Timeout Penn State.
Hawkeyes are on a roll offensively since the Nittany Lions’ appeal, with a 14-0 scoring run that forces a Penn State timeout.
7:03 1st QTR: Iowa 9, Penn State 8
Penn State’s appeal was successful on the foul call, but the shot clock violation on the Nittany Lions still stands.
Nittany Lions retain their timeout.
7:03 1st QTR: Iowa 9, Penn State 8
Timeout Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are appealing the foul call on Gracie Merkle and the ensuing shot clock violation.
Both teams are shooting well to start the game.
IT’S SHOWTIME!
Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Five
Hawkeyes warming up
Hawkeye alumni in attendance
Iowa women’s basketball injury report
On its game day availability report, sophomore Emely Rodriguez remains out. Graduate starting guard Kylie Feuerbach is also “questionable.”
Iowa women’s basketball schedule
All times CT
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball vs. Penn State today: Live updates, score
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
