As the No. 24-ranked Iowa women’s basketball team (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) closed out 2024 with a convincing 84-63 win vs. Purdue (7-6, 0-2 Big Ten) in a game that saw the entire roster get playing time, the Hawkeyes got a tremendous boost off the bench from freshman guards Taylor Stremlow and Aaliyah Guyton.
Guyton contributed 20 minutes off the bench for nine points on 4-for-11 (36.4%) from the floor, including 1-of-6 (16.7%)from deep to pair with two assists, one rebound, and one steal.
Stremlow accounted for nine points on a perfect 4-for-4 (100%), including 1-for-1 (100%) from beyond the arc, with four rebounds, three steals, and two assists during her 19 minutes.
Following the game, both Stremlow stated that the presence she and Guyton brought to the team during their win over Purdue gave the coaching staff confidence that the two freshman guards could hold their own for extended stretches of the matchup.
“Aaliya and I went in and got to bring some energy and get out there together. I think that was definitely a boost for the team,” Stremlow said.
“And I think just seeing that we helped out and could hold our own out there definitely gave the coaches some confidence to continue playing us throughout the rest of the game.”
When asked how Guyton prepares herself to contribute coming off the bench like she did Sunday night, she mentioned the importance of always being studious in the film room and absorbing information from teammates and coaches in order to be a valuable contributor whenever needed.
“I feel like just talking to the coaches and whoever’s ahead of me, and making sure I’m prepared for positions like this, for situations like this where maybe the freshmen do need to step up a little bit more, Guyton replied.
“So, just making sure I’m prepared, studying, watching films, and just getting into it, working hard, and making sure I’m prepared.”
The Hawkeyes’ next game will ring in the new calendar year as they travel to University Park, Penn., for a Jan. 1 clash vs. Penn State (9-4, 0-2 Big Ten) from the Bryce Jordan Center.
Tipoff is scheduled for noon CT and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network Plus (BTN+) along with the radio call from the Hawkeyes Radio Network.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.
Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews