The Hawkeyes jumped all over the Huskers from the start, improving to 20-5 overall and 11-3 in Big Ten play.
Iowa women's basketball continued its dominance over rival Nebraska on Monday, rolling to a 80-67 victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
The sophomore trio of Ava Heiden, Chit-Chat Wright, and Taylor Stremlow led the way for Iowa, with Heiden recording a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds. Stremlow continued to produce in the starting lineup, collecting 17 points, while Wright (14 points) remained her usual stellar self.
This game was defined by efficiency. The Hawkeyes shot 71% in the first half and never looked back, finishing the game with a 61% clip from the field - 1.143 points per possession.
Iowa improves to 20-5 overall and 11-3 in Big Ten play with the win, while Nebraska drops to 16-10 overall and 5-10 in the conference.
First Half
Though Iowa was playing a desperate Nebraska team in its own building, the Hawkeyes came out clicking on all cylinders. Amiah Hargrove scored the game's first points for the Huskers, but a quick five points from Wright helped the Hawkeyes race out to a 10-0 run and force a Nebraska timeout.
The Huskers tried to chip away over the next few minutes, but Iowa continued to get whatever it wanted on offense. Stremlow and Kylie Feuerbach caught fire from distance, which could've been applied to the entire team.
The Hawkeyes shot 71% (10/14) from the floor and 5/6 from three in the first quarter, while holding Nebraska to a 40% (6/15) clip. All of this led to a comfortable 25-13 lead for Iowa, though four turnovers in the final three minutes prevented it from stretching further.
The FOX broadcast crew praised the Huskers' defense at the end of the first quarter, but Iowa's was equally as good in the first half. The Hawkeyes forced four Nebraska turnovers early in the second quarter, and this defensive presence allowed them to increase their lead to 35-20 with five minutes left in the half.
The only thing the Huskers did well in the first half was win an appeal from Iowa coach Jan Jensen, but outside of that, it was all Hawkeyes. Heiden netted 18 points in the first half alone, and watched her team finish the period with an incredible 67% clip from the field.
Iowa led 45-27 at halftime.
Second Half
The Hawkeyes have struggled to hold big leads at times this season, but there was no such struggle on this afternoon. Heiden and Hannah Stuelke slipped behind the Nebraska defense for some easy buckets to set the tone.
An 8-0 Husker run forced Jensen to call a timeout, but her team responded in a big way after that. Stremlow ended a three-minute field goal drought with a beautiful cut and layup, and that, combined with a transition three from Wright on the next possession, was enough to get Iowa going again.
Nebraska never threatened after that, and the Hawkeyes cruised to victory.
Up Next
The Hawkeyes return to action on Thursday, Feb. 19 for a road matchup at Purdue. The Boilermakers have been one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this year, coming in with a record of 12-13 overall and 4-10 in league play.
Tip off from Mackey Arena is set for 6 p.m. CST on Big Ten Plus.