Penn State rang in the new year with its first contest against a ranked opponent this season, taking on No. 23 Iowa on Wednesday.
Despite a strong first quarter and back and forth play throughout the game, the Hawkeyes pulled away down the stretch to defeat the Lady Lions., 80-68.
Grace Hall got the game started for the Lady Lions with a mid-range jumper from the right side, followed by Gracie Merkle getting on the board with a layup.
Merkle made her offensive presence known early, dropping six points and securing four offensive rebounds in the first quarter.