Thrilling Matchup at West Lafayette
In a thrilling matchup at West Lafayette, the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes secured a hard-fought 83-74 victory against the Purdue Boilermakers on Thursday night. Ava Heiden emerged as the game’s standout player, contributing significantly with a total of 21 points and 13 rebounds, achieving a double-double performance. She showcased remarkable shooting accuracy, hitting 10 of her 12 attempts from the floor.
Key Contributions
Joining her in the scoring department was Taylor Stremlow, who not only scored 19 points but also provided eight assists, demonstrating her playmaking skills by making 7 of 10 shots, including a perfect 5 for 5 from three-point range—all made during a stellar first half. Additionally, Journey Houston added 16 points and five rebounds to the Hawkeyes’ tally, contributing to their impressive shooting percentage of 59% throughout the game, including 47% from long range.
Historical Context
The Hawkeyes, now boasting a record of 21 wins and 5 losses and 12 wins against only 3 losses in the Big Ten, also set a new historical precedent against Purdue, taking a 41-40 lead in their all-time series by clinching their 10th consecutive victory over the Boilermakers. Purdue, which has struggled this season with a record of 12-14 and 4-11 in conference play, was led by Nya Smith and Kiki Smith, who scored 19 and 17 points respectively. Nya Smith also contributed with five rebounds and five assists, while Tara Daye added 15 points and grabbed seven boards.
Game Highlights
The first half saw Iowa establish a commanding 51-32 lead thanks to a remarkable 20-1 scoring run, followed by an early 11-2 burst that set the pace for the game. Heiden’s strong showing continued into the second half, as she netted the first two baskets to extend the lead to 23 points at one stage. Even though the Boilermakers rallied late in the game with a 7-0 run in the final two minutes, it was not enough to alter the outcome significantly.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Iowa will face a tough challenge as they host No. 6 Michigan on Sunday, whereas Purdue prepares to visit No. 14 Maryland this weekend.
