Everything felt different walking into Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight. You could smell the popcorn, sure, but there was this thick layer of tension in the air that you only get when two top-15 teams decide to beat the breaks off each other for forty minutes. Honestly, if you were looking for the Iowa women’s basketball game score because you missed the broadcast, you missed a classic.
The No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes moved to 16-2 on the season after a gritty 71-66 victory over No. 15 Michigan State.
It wasn't pretty. Not at all. Jan Jensen’s squad had to fight for every single inch against a Spartans team that simply refused to go away. Michigan State came into Iowa City on a nine-game winning streak, and for about three quarters, it looked like they might actually pull off the upset.
The Numbers That Defined the Night
The final Iowa women’s basketball game score of 71-66 doesn't tell the whole story. It was a game of runs. Total chaos.
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Iowa led by as many as 12 in the second quarter, but the Spartans used a 13-2 run to bridge the half and keep things tight. Ava Heiden was the anchor for the Hawkeyes tonight. She’s been the focal point all season, and tonight she dropped 19 points and grabbed 9 boards. She just has this way of being in the right spot at the right time.
Hannah Stuelke added 15, but she struggled with foul trouble early on. That’s the thing about this Iowa team—when the stars are on the bench, someone else has to step up. Tonight, it was the bench depth.
Key Game Stats
- Final Score: Iowa 71, Michigan State 66
- Leading Scorer: Ava Heiden (19 pts)
- Field Goal Percentage: Iowa shot 46%, MSU shot 41%
- The Difference Maker: Iowa’s 9-0 run in the final four minutes.
Why the Second Half Felt Like a Fever Dream
Midway through the fourth quarter, the score was knotted at 62. The crowd was losing its mind. Michigan State’s Grace VanSlooten was hitting everything. She finished with 22 points and was basically a one-woman wrecking crew for a while there.
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But Iowa has this "Carver Magic" thing. It’s real.
The Hawkeyes tightened up the defense, forcing three straight turnovers. On the other end, Heiden hit a tough layup through contact that basically iced the game. You've got to give credit to Robyn Fralick and the Spartans, though. They played a nearly perfect road game until the very end.
Looking Ahead: The Big Ten Gauntlet
So, what does this Iowa women’s basketball game score mean for the standings?
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Basically, Iowa remains perfect in Big Ten play at 7-0. They are currently neck-and-neck with UCLA for the top spot in the conference. If you’re a fan, you’re looking at the schedule and circling the upcoming road trip. It gets brutal.
The Hawkeyes head to Maryland on Thursday, January 22. College Park is never an easy place to play. Then they come back home for a massive showdown against Ohio State on January 25.
If you're following the other team from the state, Iowa State didn't have nearly as much luck today. They got handled by Oklahoma State 86-58 in Stillwater. It’s been a rough stretch for the Cyclones, who have now lost five in a row. It just goes to show how unforgiving January basketball can be in the major conferences.
What to Watch for Next
If you want to keep up with the Hawkeyes, keep an eye on Ava Heiden’s consistency. She is averaging nearly 16 points a game and is becoming the undisputed leader of this post-Clark era. Also, watch the turnover margin. Iowa had 16 tonight—that’s a bit high if they want to beat teams like USC or UCLA later this month.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the TV schedule: Most upcoming Big Ten games are on BTN or FS1. The Maryland game on Thursday is a 6:00 PM EST tip.
- Secure tickets early: Carver-Hawkeye is selling out fast for the Ohio State game. If you're planning to go, don't wait.
- Watch the standings: Follow the UCLA results closely; their game against Iowa on February 1st will likely decide the regular-season title.