CANCUN, Mexico — In a strong performance at the Cancun Challenge, Hannah Stuelke shone with 16 points and eight rebounds, leading the 22nd-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes to a commanding 68-48 win over BYU on Friday night.

The game started off competitively, with Iowa holding a narrow 25-19 advantage at halftime. However, the Hawkeyes unleashed an offensive barrage in the second half, scoring 43 points to secure their undefeated record.

Addison O’Grady played a significant role in the third quarter, adding four points as Iowa kicked off a 10-3 run that allowed them to stretch their lead to 35-22 with six minutes left in the period. The team finished the quarter strong, totaling 20 points and entering the final frame leading 45-30.

In addition to Stuelke’s performance, O’Grady contributed 12 points while Aaliyah Guyton scored 11. Sydney Affolter also made her presence felt with seven points, ten rebounds, four assists, and five steals, showcasing a well-rounded effort from the team.

For the Cougars, Kemery Congdon led the way with 13 points, while Amari Whiting added 11, but it wasn’t enough to challenge the Hawkeyes.

Iowa started strong, leading 16-10 after the first quarter, and maintained that six-point cushion into the second quarter while struggling offensively, scoring only nine points. Stuelke was pivotal in the first half, accumulating 11 points and helping her team go into halftime with a slender lead.

It’s worth noting that Lucy Olsen, Iowa’s leading scorer averaging 17.3 points per game, missed her second consecutive game due to a significant cut on her knee, affecting the team’s scoring depth.

The Hawkeyes continue to demonstrate resilience and skill, maintaining an undefeated record of 8-0.