Women’s College Basketball Showdown
In a significant matchup in women’s college basketball, the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes claimed a decisive victory over the fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines, clinching a 62-44 win on Sunday. Ava Heiden showcased an impressive performance with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Hannah Stuelke contributed significantly with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
Impact on Big Ten Standings
This victory allowed Iowa (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) to tie with Michigan (22-5, 13-3) for second place in the Big Ten standings as they approach the end of the regular season. Notably, this game marked a low point in the season for Michigan in terms of scoring, as they managed only 44 points, far below their season average of 86.6 points per game, which placed them fifth nationally in scoring offense.
Game Highlights
Iowa capitalized on Michigan’s struggles, especially in the first half where the Wolverines shot only 30% from the field and committed a staggering 24 turnovers overall. Heiden, who has ranked among the best nationally in field-goal percentage at 64.4%, was 11 for 17 shooting. After leading by 27-20 at halftime, Iowa maintained their advantage for the last 28 minutes of the game, effectively thwarting several runs by Michigan.
The Wolverines attempted to close the gap, narrowing the score to 39-35 thanks to a 3-pointer from Syla Swords at the end of the third quarter. However, Iowa’s Kylie Feuerbach responded with a pivotal 3-pointer just before the quarter concluded.
In the fourth quarter, after a brief resurgence from Michigan that brought the score to 46-40, the Hawkeyes went on a commanding 12-2 run, primarily driven by Heiden, who scored eight points during this decisive stretch.
Michigan’s Struggles
Michigan’s performance declined further in the second half, shooting just 31% and managing a mere three field goals in the final quarter. Olivia Olson was the top scorer for the Wolverines, finishing with 13 points, while Mila Holloway added 11.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Michigan is set to face Ohio State on Wednesday, while Iowa will host Illinois on Thursday. The results of these matches will be crucial as both teams seek to position themselves in the standings before the postseason begins.
