Southern California Defeats Hawkeyes
In a compelling matchup held at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, USC overcame the No. 8 Iowa Hawkeyes, winning 81-69. This victory ended Iowa’s impressive eight-game winning streak.
Game Overview
USC now stands with a record of 12-9 overall and 4-6 in conference play. Iowa, on the other hand, falls to 18-3 and 9-1 in their conference performance. The match showcased intense competition and strategic gameplay.
Key Players
- Journey Houston: The freshman standout led Iowa, scoring a career-high 16 points, along with eight rebounds and two assists.
- Ava Heiden: The sophomore added 13 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, with eight rebounds and an assist.
- Taylor Stremlow: Contributed nine points in the second quarter, shooting 60% from three-point range.
- Hannah Stuelke: Led the Hawkeyes in the third quarter with six points.
Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
The Hawkeyes struggled initially, trailing 13-28 by the end of the first quarter. Journey Houston scored four points, supported by Kylie Feuerbach with three.
Second Quarter
Iowa showed resilience in the second quarter. They reduced the deficit to five points, aided by a collective effort that included 16 rebounds. The bench contributed 11 points, keeping the pressure on USC.
Third Quarter
The Hawkeyes continued to push back, narrowing the Southern Cal lead to just three points. However, USC responded with an 11-0 run, causing further challenges for Iowa.
Fourth Quarter
In the final quarter, six different Hawkeyes scored, with Houston leading the effort again with six points. Despite their efforts, Iowa shot 27-of-67 (40.3%) from the field and 7-of-21 (33.3%) from three-point range.
Conclusion
This match showcased the tenacity of USC while testing Iowa’s mettle. The defeat serves as a pivotal moment for the Hawkeyes as they reassess their strategy moving forward. USC’s victory is a statement win, showcasing their potential in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
