IOWA CITY, Iowa — No. 13 Iowa defeated No. 6 Michigan 62-44 Sunday afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, marking the Hawkeyes’ sixth consecutive victory over the Wolverines and solidifying their position in the Huge Ten standings.
Sophomore Ava Heiden led Iowa with 24 points and 10 rebounds, achieving her eighth career double-double. She has now scored in double figures in 15 straight games and in all 15 Big Ten contests this season, and has surpassed 20 points in a team-best 10 games this year. Senior Hannah Stuelke contributed a double-double of her own, with 11 points and 12 rebounds, adding seven assists and two steals.
Iowa’s defense proved pivotal, holding Michigan to their lowest point total of the season and one of the lowest since 2009. The Hawkeyes forced 24 turnovers and dominated the paint, outscoring Michigan 40-22. Michigan, ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense entering the game, shot just 30.5% from the field.
The game was closely contested early, with the first quarter ending in a 12-12 tie. Iowa capitalized on Michigan’s turnovers, banking nine points off of 11 Wolverine miscues. Iowa then pulled ahead in the second quarter, leading 27-20 at halftime, fueled by 19 collective rebounds.
Heiden’s performance intensified in the second half, scoring 20 of her 24 points after the break. A crucial three-pointer by Kylie Feuerbach just before the end of the third quarter extended Iowa’s lead to 42-35. In the fourth quarter, after Michigan narrowed the gap to 46-40, Iowa responded with a 12-2 run, led by eight points from Heiden.
Taylor Stremlow, making her third consecutive start – and 11th of the season – contributed six points, three assists, and three steals. The Hawkeyes are undefeated (11-0) in games where Stremlow is in the starting lineup this season. Journey Houston added four points and five rebounds, although Feuerbach finished with eight points and three rebounds.
Iowa Head Coach Lisa Jensen is now one win shy of 46 wins in her first two seasons, which would be the most by an Iowa women’s basketball coach in program history, surpassing Angie Lee’s 45. Since 2000, Iowa has won 21 games against AP Top 10 teams, and this victory marked their seventh against an AP Top 25 opponent this season. It was also the second-highest ranked win of Jensen’s tenure.
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes will next host Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on BTN and the Hawkeye Radio Network.
