When the schedule dropped for the 2024-25 season, everyone circled November 13. It wasn’t just another non-conference game. This was the first time ever that the Toledo Rockets women's basketball vs Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball matchup actually moved from a "what if" scenario to real hardwood. If you follow mid-major hoops, you know Toledo isn't some pushover. They've been a MAC powerhouse for years. But walking into Carver-Hawkeye Arena is a different beast entirely, especially with the post-Caitlin Clark era Hawkeyes trying to prove they haven't lost a step.
Honestly, the atmosphere was electric. Nearly 15,000 people packed the stands in Iowa City. That's not normal for a Wednesday night in most cities, but Iowa is basically the epicenter of women's college basketball right now. Toledo came in with high hopes, led by veterans like Sammi Mikonowicz and Kendall Carruthers, but they ran into a buzzsaw.
The Night the Hawkeyes Took Off
The final score was 94-57. It sounds like a blowout because, well, it was. But the score doesn't tell the whole story of how Toledo tried to handle the pressure. Iowa came out swinging in the first quarter, putting up 28 points to Toledo’s 10. That 18-point gap in the first ten minutes basically dictated the rest of the night.
Toledo struggled with the length of Iowa. You've got players like Hannah Stuelke who are just magnets for the ball. She ended the night with 17 points and 9 rebounds. It felt like every time Toledo missed a shot—and they missed a lot, shooting just 31.3% from the floor—Iowa was there to clean it up and sprint the other way.
Breaking Down the Box Score
Toledo actually has some serious shooters. Kendall Carruthers found her rhythm eventually, hitting four triples. She finished with 15 points. Sammi Mikonowicz was the steady hand for the Rockets, leading them with 17 points and playing almost the entire game. She’s tough. She doesn't back down. But when the other team has five players in double figures, your individual heroics sorta get buried in the noise.
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Lucy Olsen and Taylor McCabe both put up 14 for Iowa. McCabe, a Fremont native, was absolute lights out from deep. It's that "next woman up" mentality that Jan Jensen has cultivated. People wondered if the Hawkeyes would collapse without number 22 on the floor. This game was a loud "no" to that question.
Why This Matchup Matters for the MAC
So, why does a 37-point loss matter for a team like Toledo? It's about the "strength of schedule" gamble. Ginny Boggess, in her first year leading the Rockets, knew that taking her team into a hostile Big Ten environment would expose their weaknesses early.
Toledo is used to winning. They expect to win the MAC. But playing Iowa shows them the speed of the elite tier. They had four shot-clock violations in the second quarter alone. That’s not a lack of talent; that’s a lack of comfort against a high-press defense that doesn't give you an inch to breathe.
The Rockets eventually found some footing in the second half, scoring 18 in both the third and fourth quarters. They didn't quit. That’s the "Toledo way" fans love. They won the turnover battle in certain stretches and showed they could run set plays even when the crowd was deafening.
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Key Takeaways from the Toledo Rockets Women's Basketball vs Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Basketball Clash
If you're looking at this game from a betting or scouting perspective, there are a few things that jump out.
First, Iowa’s depth is terrifying. They played every available player on the roster. When your bench can come in and maintain a 30-point lead without breaking a sweat, you're a dangerous team. Addy O’Grady has made a massive jump in her development, showing a level of assertiveness in the paint that wasn't there last season.
Second, Toledo’s Kendall Carruthers is a star in the making. Even in a loss, her ability to create her own shot against Big Ten defenders was impressive. She’s going to terrorize the MAC this year.
Third, the rebounding margin was the "silent killer." Iowa out-rebounded Toledo significantly, leading to second-chance points that the Rockets just couldn't recover from. In games like this, you have to limit the opponent to one shot. Toledo couldn't do it.
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What's Next for Both Programs?
Toledo went back home to face Northern Kentucky and later Northern Iowa. They used the Iowa game as a blueprint for what they need to fix. Specifically, their perimeter defense and their transition game. They've since had some battles in the MAC, including a tough one against Northern Illinois where turnovers again became an issue.
Iowa, on the other hand, proved they are still a top-tier program. They moved to 3-0 after the Toledo game and continued to climb the rankings. The transition from Lisa Bluder to Jan Jensen has been remarkably smooth.
If you’re a fan, don’t let the 94-57 scoreline fool you into thinking Toledo is "bad." They aren't. They just ran into a team that is currently playing a different version of the game. For the Rockets, this was a learning experience. For the Hawkeyes, it was a statement.
How to Follow Future Games
- Check the MAC Standings: Toledo is always a contender, so watch how they bounce back in conference play.
- Watch Iowa on Big Ten Plus: Most of their non-nationally televised games land there.
- Keep an eye on Kendall Carruthers: Her scoring average is one to watch as we head toward March.
If you want to see these teams in action again, look for the MAC Tournament in Cleveland or the Big Ten Tournament. Both programs have high expectations, and honestly, don't be surprised if Toledo makes some noise in the WBIT or NCAA tournament if they can tighten up that defense.