IOWA CITY – No. 21 Iowa defeated Southern University in the season opener on Monday night in Iowa City, 86-51, in front of a sellout crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Hannah Stuelke registered 20 points (8-11 FG) and nine rebounds. It was her 62nd career game in double digits, the most among any active Hawkeye. Stuelke is now tied with Makenzie Meyer for the 13th most games with 10+ points in program history since 2009. It was Stuelke’s first 20-point performance since March 2, 2025.
Ava Heiden recorded her first career double-double with 24 points (8-13 FG) and 14 rebounds, both of
which were game-highs. Heiden is the 15th player in program history to notch a 20-point double-double and seventh sophomore since 2009. Heiden tied her career-high with 15 points (Murray State) and eight rebounds (Purdue) in the first half.
Chit-Chat Wright tied her career-best with seven assists, she reached that mark twice at Georgia Tech.
Emely Rodriguez notched her first double digit performance as a Hawkeye. She has reach 10+ points in
five straight games dating back to last season.
True freshmen Addie Deal, Layla Hays, and Journey Houston all notched their first official points as
Hawkeyes in the first half.
This game marks the third consecutive sellout in a season opening game in Iowa women’s basketball history. (14,998). Iowa extended its home sell out streak to 37 games which is the longest active streak nationally.
The Hawkeyes have won 26 consecutive season openers.
Iowa is 4-0 all-time against Southern.
The Hawkeyes led the game for 36:41.
Iowa is 97-6 when recording 80+ points and 20+ assists in a game since 2018-19.
UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Iowa women’s basketball team will play host to Evansville on Sunday, Nov. 9 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 2 p.m. (CT). The game will air on B1G+ (subscription required) and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
