Breakout Sparks for Addie Deals Iowa prevails as the Hawkeyes defeat Oregon in a Big Ten match. A season can occasionally shift in a single night.
The Iowa freshman Addie Deal made his breakthrough on Thursday inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, leading the 11th-ranked Hawkeyes past Oregon and hinting at greater things to come for a team already dominating Big Ten play. 18 points are displayed in the box score. The moment seemed even more expansive.
Addie Deal breakout ignites Iowa’s offense
Iowa City Jan Jensen, the head coach of Iowa, described what happened as “a clicker.” Another way to put it? An innovation. In front of an estimated 14,988 spectators on Thursday night, Iowa defeated Oregon 74–66 thanks to a career-high 18 points from freshman guard Addie Deal on an incredibly effective 7-of-9 shooting night that included a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. Once it began, it was the kind of performance that seemed unavoidable. assured. Be calm. under control.
“Felt great,” Deal said afterward. “I’ve been putting in extra work before, during, and after practice. The shots were open, and we executed really well.”
Iowa returned to a tie with UCLA atop the conference standings after improving to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten play.
A balanced attack and defensive edge
Deal wasn’t by himself. She was matched by Hannah Stuelke, who scored 18 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and dished out a career-high eight assists. Stuelke’s decision-making repeatedly penalized Oregon, and Iowa relied heavily on its high-low action.
“Hannah’s a really smart player,” Jensen said. “She could see it tonight.”
Ava Heiden led Iowa with nine rebounds and 13 points. Oregon’s top scorer, Katie Fiso, was only able to score nine points on 4-of-16 shooting thanks to Kylie Feuerbach’s 11 points and one of the game’s most crucial defensive performances. Iowa dominated the game from beginning to end, despite Oregon’s strong start.
From beginning to end, Iowa sets the pace. There was never a sense of panic with this one. Iowa maintained a 12-point lead in the first half before settling for a 36–31 lead at the half. In the second half, the Hawkeyes gradually gained ground, and Feuerbach’s free throw with 4:29 left increased the lead to 19 points at 69–50. After two closer-than-necessary road victories at Northwestern and Indiana, Jensen welcomed the change. “We discussed playing for forty minutes,” she stated. “We played roughly 37.” That was sufficient.
The moment that led to the breakout Deal had only scored four points in the preceding three games, averaging just 5.2 points in 14.8 minutes per game going into the evening. Jensen, though, never faltered. The two had a coffee—or perhaps smoothie—conversation earlier in the week, according to Jensen.
“I just wanted to remind her about the journey,” Jensen said. “The belief. The patience.”
Deal listened. Then she responded the best way possible.
“She’s stayed the course,” Jensen said. “This is what I hoped for her. I just didn’t expect it right away.”
What it entails going forward Beyond a single January evening, the Addie Deal breakout may have far-reaching consequences. Iowa already has a deep rotation, and as February draws near, the Hawkeyes’ ceiling will only rise with another scoring threat.
A big test is coming up. On Sunday at 7 p.m., Iowa will host No. 15 Michigan State (17–1, 6–1 Big Ten) in Iowa City, providing another chance to assess this team’s performance. Iowa is becoming more confident, if Thursday is any indication. Additionally, Addie Deal might have just flipped her own “clicker” at the perfect moment.
