Carver-Hawkeye Arena was absolutely buzzing tonight. If you were looking for a quiet Sunday evening in Iowa City, you definitely weren't anywhere near the hardwood. The big question on everyone's mind—who won Iowa game today—has a definitive answer, but the score alone doesn't tell the whole story of how the No. 14 Iowa women's basketball team handled the No. 15 Michigan State Spartans.
It was a battle of top-15 titans.
Iowa walked away with a gritty victory, leaning on their depth and a defensive stand that had the fans on their feet. Honestly, after that slow start against Indiana last week, people were a little nervous about how Jan Jensen’s squad would handle a physical Michigan State team. But the Hawkeyes showed up. They basically locked down the perimeter when it mattered most, proving that life after the Caitlin Clark era is still very much alive and kicking in the Big Ten.
Breaking Down the Iowa vs Michigan State Result
The final buzzer saw Iowa standing tall. It wasn't always pretty. Michigan State's Julia Ayrault is a nightmare to guard, and she lived up to the billing early on. However, Iowa’s interior presence was just too much for the Spartans to handle over four quarters.
Hannah Stuelke remains the heartbeat of this team. You've probably noticed she’s playing with a different kind of aggression this year. She finished the night with another double-double, bullying her way through the paint and drawing fouls like it was her job. When the Spartans tried to double-team her, the Hawkeye guards were ready.
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Taylor Stremlow and Chazadi Wright are becoming a formidable backcourt. They aren't just scorers; they are pests on defense. Wright’s ability to strip the ball in transition completely flipped the momentum in the third quarter. It’s those small, "kinda" messy plays that actually win games like this.
Key Stats From the Game
The shooting percentages weren't record-breaking, but the hustle stats were. Iowa won the rebounding battle by a significant margin. If you can't get second-chance points against this Hawkeye team, you’re going to have a long night.
- Final Score: Iowa 78, Michigan State 71
- Leading Scorer: Hannah Stuelke (22 points)
- Turning Point: A 12-2 run by Iowa late in the third quarter.
Why the Iowa Defense is Different This Year
Under Jan Jensen, the philosophy has shifted slightly. While the offense still wants to run, the defensive rotations are much tighter. You saw it today. Every time Michigan State tried to kick the ball out for an open three, there was a Hawkeye jersey closing out. It’s exhausting to play against.
Ava Heiden is a huge part of that. As a sophomore center, her rim protection has improved leaps and bounds. She had three blocks today that felt like momentum-shifters. It’s not just about the blocks, though; it’s the fact that opponents are actually scared to drive into the lane when she's parked down there.
What This Means for the Big Ten Standings
This win is massive. Plain and simple. The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year, and dropping a home game to a ranked opponent like Michigan State can haunt you come March. By securing the win, Iowa stays near the top of the conference rankings, keeping pace with the likes of Ohio State and USC.
Most people get it wrong when they think Iowa is "rebuilding." They aren't rebuilding; they’re reloading. The chemistry between the veterans and the newcomers is starting to gel at the exact right time.
Looking Ahead: What's Next for the Hawkeyes?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. The Hawkeyes have to take this show on the road. Traveling to Ann Arbor to face Michigan is always a tall order. If they can keep this defensive intensity up, they’ll be in good shape.
- Maintain the rebounding dominance seen tonight.
- Reduce the unforced turnovers in the first half.
- Continue to feed Stuelke in the low post.
If you're a fan, you should be feeling pretty good. This team has grit. They don't panic when they fall behind by six or seven points. They just keep chipping away. That’s the mark of a well-coached team and a group of players who actually trust each other.
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If you’re planning on heading to the next home game, grab your tickets early. Carver-Hawkeye is selling out faster than ever, and with the way this team is playing, that trend isn't stopping anytime soon. Keep an eye on the injury report for the next few days, as a couple of players looked a bit banged up after the physical play tonight, but nothing seemed too serious.
The road to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis is going to be wild. Today's win over Michigan State was just one chapter, but it was a pretty convincing one.
For those tracking the season progress, Iowa is now sitting in a prime position for a high seed if they can survive the upcoming road trip. Keep checking back for the latest scores and deep dives into the film, because this season is just getting started.
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Go Hawks.