At Carver-Hawkeye, Addie Deal’s career-high ignites Iowa as the Hawkeyes defeat Oregon. The Iowa women’s basketball team made another big victory on Thursday night, and it included a breakout performance that fans won’t soon forget. The 13th-ranked Hawkeyes defeated Oregon 74-66 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena thanks to a career-high from Addie Deal. They improved to 15-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in Big Ten play.
Iowa appeared assured, connected, and at ease on its home floor from the first tip. The Hawkeyes put on a performance that builds momentum going into the heart of conference play. They shot effectively, defended with purpose, and handled every push from Oregon with poise.
Addie Deal Career-High Sparks Hawkeyes’ Offensive Surge
The star of the show was Addie Deal, a freshman guard. The 6-foot shooter from Irvine, California, scored a career-high 18 points in just 20 minutes after coming off the bench. He shot an astounding 7-for-9 from the field and a flawless 4-for-4 from three-point range.
Deal always seemed to have a response to Oregon’s threats. Her performance put Deal’s night in rare company as it was the most points scored by an Iowa freshman since Caitlin Clark’s historic 39-point performance against Michigan State back in February 2021.
Deal wasn’t the only one bearing the burden. In addition to matching her with 18 points, senior forward Hannah Stuelke recorded a career-high eight assists and eight rebounds. Iowa benefited greatly from Stuelke’s all-around performance, particularly in crucial moments when Oregon attempted to rally.
Iowa Uses Efficiency and Balance to Control the Game Iowa shot 27-for-58 from the field at the end of the game, including 10-for-24 from beyond the arc and 10-for-17 from the free-throw line. Early on, that balance was clear. Thanks to a late basket by Journey Houston, the Hawkeyes increased their lead from 18–12 at the end of the first quarter to 36–31 at the half.
Iowa’s defense matched the Ducks turnover-for-turnover by forcing eight turnovers from Oregon in the first half and finishing the game with 14. The Hawkeyes’ offensive execution was too consistent to overcome, even though Oregon eventually found some rhythm.
With Deal already in double figures and Stuelke making an impact inside, Iowa had a commanding 60–44 lead by the end of the third quarter. Despite a late Oregon push, Iowa’s offense took off early in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 68–50 and virtually sealing the victory.
Building Momentum, Depth, and Confidence Once more, Iowa’s depth was evident. Chit-Chat Wright made timely threes to keep the floor open, and Ava Heiden contributed an early goal. The Hawkeyes never appeared to be short-staffed, despite sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez missing the 11th consecutive game due to a persistent back injury and senior forward Jada Gyamfi being sidelined permanently.
That resilience matters, especially with what lies ahead.
The victory over Oregon was more than just a standings victory. It gave them more self-assurance before they faced four opponents ranked in the Top 25 over the course of the next five games. Iowa will host No. 14 Michigan State on Sunday night to start that challenge. After that, there will be road tests at Maryland, USC, and UCLA.
A Victory That Is Greater Than the Point Total This game felt like a turning point, regardless of the outcome. Iowa demonstrated that it can rely on up-and-coming players like Deal, have faith in Stuelke’s seasoned leadership, and still play connected basketball on both ends of the court. As the Big Ten race intensifies, the Hawkeyes might be deeper and more dangerous than anyone anticipated if Addie Deal’s career-high performance is a sign of things to come.
