No. 10 Iowa didn’t just beat No.
12 Ohio State on Sunday - they made a statement. The Hawkeyes rolled to a 91-70 win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, improving to 18-2 overall and staying perfect in Big Ten play at 9-0.
It was the kind of performance that turns heads in late January - fast-paced, confident, and commanding on both ends of the floor.
But the win came with a tough moment early on. Senior guard Taylor McCabe exited in the first quarter with what appeared to be a non-contact knee injury - always a concerning sign.
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen confirmed after the game that McCabe won’t be available for the upcoming road trip to California, where the Hawkeyes are set to face USC on Thursday and UCLA on Sunday. The full extent of the injury is still unknown, but McCabe was scheduled to undergo an MRI later that day.
McCabe’s absence is no small loss. She’s been a steady contributor all season, averaging 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
But her biggest weapon? That three-point shot.
She’s been one of Iowa’s most reliable catch-and-shoot threats, hitting 37.4 percent from deep on high volume - the kind of spacing asset that opens up the floor for everyone else.
Still, Iowa didn’t miss a beat against the Buckeyes - thanks in large part to freshman Addie Deal. Thrust into a bigger role, Deal responded with poise beyond her years, leading the team with 20 points and five assists. It was her best outing yet in a Hawkeye uniform, and it came in a game where Iowa needed someone to step up.
The Hawkeyes now head west riding serious momentum, but they’ll do so without one of their senior leaders. How they adjust without McCabe - and how Deal continues to grow in her expanded role - could shape the next stretch of their season. One thing’s clear: if Sunday was any indication, this Iowa team has the depth and resilience to keep pushing forward.