On a brisk Sunday afternoon in Iowa City, the No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball team delivered a commanding 99-76 victory over Penn State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, notching their second straight win in Big Ten play and improving to 11-2 on the season. The Hawkeyes, led by head coach Jan Jensen, put on a show of offensive firepower and depth, extending their winning streak over the Nittany Lions to an impressive 12 consecutive games—each of the last 11 by double-digit margins.
From the opening tip, both teams came out swinging, trading baskets in the first couple of minutes. Penn State freshman guard Tèa Clèante was quick to make her presence felt, knocking down two early three-pointers to keep the visitors close. But the Hawkeyes, unfazed by the back-and-forth, unleashed a momentum-shifting 14-0 run that put them up 21-8 midway through the first quarter. During this stretch, Chazadi "Chit-Chat" Wright was electric, pouring in nine points and setting the tone for Iowa's offensive onslaught. By the first break, Iowa had built a 29-14 lead, thanks to sharp shooting—10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep—and perfect execution at the free-throw line.
"We really wanted to set the tempo early and get everyone involved," said Jensen after the game, highlighting her team’s balanced attack. "Our depth is a strength, and it showed tonight."
Ava Heiden, the sophomore center, was the star of the afternoon. She posted a career-high 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds, marking her third career game with at least 20 points and her first time reaching that milestone against a Big Ten opponent. Heiden got the Hawkeyes on the board with the team’s first basket, assisted by Wright, and never looked back. Her presence in the paint was a nightmare for Penn State, as she consistently finished around the rim and drew fouls, helping Iowa dominate inside.
Wright, returning to form after a concussion sidelined her earlier in the season, contributed 16 points and led the team with six assists, orchestrating Iowa’s offense with poise. Senior Hannah Stuelke was another key piece, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. Stuelke’s performance was more than just another solid outing—it vaulted her into the Hawkeye record books as the 14th player in program history to eclipse both 1,300 career points and 700 rebounds.
"It means a lot to be part of this program’s history," Stuelke said, reflecting on her milestone. "But all I care about is helping us win. Tonight, everyone stepped up."
The Hawkeyes’ depth was on full display, especially with the contributions from their freshmen. Addie Deal came off the bench to score 13 points in just 17 minutes, shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the floor—her third career game in double figures. Journey Houston was equally impressive, recording her first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, missing only one shot all night. Their energy helped Iowa maintain its advantage whenever the starters rested, a luxury not lost on Jensen. "Our young players are growing every game. It’s exciting to see them step up in big moments," she noted.
Penn State, meanwhile, showed plenty of fight, especially from their own young standouts. Tèa Clèante led the Lady Lions with 21 points, notching her third consecutive double-digit scoring effort. Sophomore Kiyomi McMiller added 20 points and four assists, while Merkle contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, securing her fifth double-double of the season and moving up to fifth all-time in career double-doubles at Penn State. Despite these efforts, the Lady Lions simply couldn’t match Iowa’s firepower, particularly after the early run by the Hawkeyes.
The second quarter saw Penn State briefly close the gap with an 8-0 run that trimmed Iowa’s lead to 13, forcing Jensen to call a timeout. The Hawkeyes responded by tightening up defensively, forcing four turnovers in three minutes and attacking the rim to get to the free-throw line. By halftime, Iowa led 49-37, having gone 12-of-16 from the charity stripe compared to just three attempts for Penn State. The Lady Lions did manage to outscore Iowa 23-20 in the second quarter, but the Hawkeyes’ early cushion was simply too much to overcome.
In the third quarter, Iowa continued to impose its will in the paint, racking up 18 points inside and converting 10 points off turnovers. Addie Deal found her rhythm, pouring in six points in as many minutes, while Stuelke and Houston combined to keep the lead in double digits. Penn State made a push with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 16, but Iowa answered with back-to-back layups from Stuelke and Houston, followed by a fast-break finish from Deal, pushing the lead back to 20.
The fourth quarter was more of the same, with Iowa extending its lead to as many as 25 points before Penn State’s late surge trimmed the margin. The Lady Lions continued to share the ball, finishing with 21 assists—marking their seventh game of the season with 20 or more dimes—but it was Iowa’s six double-figure scorers that proved decisive. The Hawkeyes’ 99 points were a testament to their offensive balance and unselfish play.
For Penn State, the loss drops them to 7-6 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten, but the performances from Clèante, McMiller, and Merkle offer hope for the rest of the conference slate. The Lady Lions also outshot Iowa from the field, posting a 50.8% mark, and held their own on the glass for stretches, but turnovers and Iowa’s relentless attack proved too much to handle.
With the win, Iowa now leads the all-time series against Penn State 31-29, a testament to the fierce competition between these two programs over the years. The Hawkeyes’ focus now shifts to their next challenge—a ranked-on-ranked showdown with No. 20 Nebraska at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 1. Nebraska enters the contest undefeated at 12-0, setting the stage for a New Year’s Day clash that could have significant implications in the Big Ten race. The matchup will tip off at 1 p.m. Central Time and air on Big Ten Network.
As the Hawkeyes celebrate a well-earned victory and look ahead to a top-20 battle, their blend of veteran leadership and emerging young stars has Iowa fans dreaming big. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, this team is just getting started.
