The Iowa women's basketball team is facing another hurdle tonight as they head into their matchup against Purdue. Already operating with a limited roster, the Hawkeyes will be without their standout forward, Hannah Stuelke. The team confirmed she's sidelined due to an upper body injury.
Stuelke, a senior hailing from Cedar Rapids, has been a powerhouse for Iowa, leading the Big Ten with an impressive 8.8 rebounds per game. She’s also been a key offensive player, averaging 13.8 points per game, second on the team. Her absence is a significant blow, and the Hawkeyes will need to adjust quickly.
Freshman Journey Houston is expected to step into the starting lineup at power forward. She’ll join Ava Heiden at center, with Kylie Feuerbach, Chit-Chat Wright, and Taylor Stremlow rounding out the backcourt. This young lineup will need to rise to the occasion, especially with the Hawkeyes already missing Taylor McCabe for the season due to a torn ACL.
Currently ranked No. 13 with a 20-5 overall record and 11-3 in the Big Ten, Iowa will be looking to maintain their strong performance despite these challenges. The team is hopeful for Stuelke's quick return, eyeing a potential comeback against No. 6 Michigan on Sunday.
Tipoff for tonight’s game is set for 6 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes will need to dig deep and rely on their depth as they continue their push in the Big Ten standings.