Iowa Women's Basketball just made a 18-2 Ohio State team look like a high school team.
The Hawkeyes entered Sunday's game against Ohio State extremely hot, winning seven consecutive games, and that trend continued.
Ohio State jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, but then it was all Hawkeyes, propelled by freshman Addie Deal.
After being named the Big Ten's Freshman of the Week last week, Deal picked up where she left off, torching the Buckeyes for 20 points and adding five assists and three rebounds.
Iowa now sits at 18-2 this season and is in first place in the Big Ten standings, and three big things stood out from Iowa's big home victory.
When Iowa dominates the pain, they can't be stopped
Jan Jensen has an unconventional offensive strategy that stresses post play and multiple paint touches, but when it's working, the Hawkeyes are unstoppable.
Sophomore center Ava Heiden and senior forward Hannah Stuelke are the driving forces for Iowa on offense, and that remained the same in the win over Ohio State.
The dynamic post duo each added 18 points, and Hannah grabbed a massive 15 rebounds to notch her sixth double-double of the season.
Iowa scored 42 points in the paint and also had a plus-18 rebound advantage in the win (48-30), further proving that when the squad dominates the paint, they dominate the game.
Stuelke is leading the Big Ten in rebounds per game (8.9), and the Hawkeyes as a whole are tied for No. 3 overall in the Big Ten in rebounds per game (42.0).
When Iowa controls the pain, they control the game.
Addie Deal has become Iowa's first and most trusted option off the bench
With her recent stretch of play, Addie Deal has reminded everyone why she was a five-star recruit coming out of Mater Dei High School in California.
She had some freshman growing pains early in the season as she adjusted to the higher level of competition, but her abilities and confidence have been on full display over the past week.
Deal has proven she is a three-level scorer and an excellent passer, giving the Hawkeyes a weapon off the bench.
Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, senior guard Taylor McCabe suffered an injury within the first minute of the game, and it looks like she will miss significant time.
If that is the case, Jan Jensen and the squad can feel at ease with Deal earning an expanded role.
Iowa has the depth and determination tomake a deep run
Even with Kylie Feuerbach, Chit-Chat Wright, Emely Rodriguez, and now Taylor McCabe spending time on the sidelines with injuries, Iowa has not skipped a beat.
Most teams would fold if four of their key contributors were out at any given time, but credit Jensen and the squad for their determination and grit.
In the past, Iowa has been heavily reliant on one star player and a bunch of supporting players to succeed, but this season, the squad has the depth to rely on different players every night.
Whether it's Heiden or Stuelke, Deal or Journey Houston, the Hawkeyes' depth has been on full display and will be a crucial asset as the Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments quickly approach.