Iowa Women's Basketball picked up its first win of the 2025-2026 season with a dominating performance over the Southern Jaguars.
The Hawkeyes started the game slowly but picked up their offense in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 13 by halftime.
After a 24-point third quarter, the Hawkeyes never looked back, earning their first win in Jan Jensen's second year at the helm.
The result was never in doubt as Southern was outclassed at every position, and the Hawkeyes showed their dominance in the paint in the 86-51 victory.
Center Ava Heiden led the way for the Hawkeyes with 21 points and 14 rebounds, notching a double-double in the first game of the season.
Hannah Stuelke also had a solid game with 20 points and eight rebounds, with newcomer Emely Rodriguez adding 13 points.
After Iowa's solid game one performance, here are three big takeaways from opening night.
Ava Heiden will be a force all season
Heiden did not get a lot of playing time during the regular season last year in her freshman campaign, but Jan Jensen is going to rely on her heavily this season.
Heiden played some big minutes down the stretch in the postseason for Jensen, and her role will expand this season.
Jensen has always been a proponent of old-school basketball, where there are more paint touches than three-point baskets.
Heiden fits that gameplan perfectly as she has the skillset to succeed in the pain, and can also get out on the fast break and finish at the rim.
She put up a double-double in the first game of the season, and she will be a force to be reckoned with all season.
Iowa will rely on its size down low
Iowa's strategy was clear in the first game: they will force feed the post players down low.
The Hawkeyes were feeding Stuelke, Heiden, and Layla Hays all night as they struggled shooting from beyond the arc.
Iowa made only four three-point baskets all game, shooting 22 percent from beyond the arc.
The offense was heavily reliant on paint touches, and if Iowa can't force the ball inside, it remains to be seen if they will be able to knock down enough jumpers to stay afloat.
The Hawkeyes will also need to win the rebounding battle every night to offset some of the shooting woes they will face this season.
Iowa easily won the rebounding battle 63-35 against Southern, and that trend must continue going forward.
Newcomer Emely Rodriguez is going to play a key role
Hawkeye fans are going to love Emely Rodriguez this season, and Iowa will need her down the stretch.
She finished the game against Southern with 13 points, three assists, and three rebounds, but it was the hustle plays that will keep her on the floor this year.
Rodriguez hustled for every loose ball and picked up two steals with her pressure defense. She also demonstrated that she has enough handles to be a secondary ball handler when Chit-Chat Wright or Addie Deal are not on the court.
It would not be a surprise if Rodriguez gets some spot starts based on matchups or becomes a full-time starter due to her ability to dribble, pass, and create her own shot.
Get used to Rodriguez, Hawkeye fans, because we are going to see more of her as the season goes on.