Iowa Women’s Basketball Shows Grit in 86-72 Win Over Fairfield
IOWA CITY, Iowa - It wasn’t always pretty, and at times it was downright chaotic, but the Iowa Hawkeyes showed resilience and depth in an 86-72 win over a tough Fairfield team that came into Carver-Hawkeye Arena ready to launch from deep-and did so with historic success.
Fairfield, one of the most lethal three-point shooting teams in the country, came out firing and didn’t miss a beat early. After Iowa jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead behind a Taylor McCabe triple and a Kylie Feuerbach layup, the Stags responded with a barrage from beyond the arc.
They hit three threes in the opening four minutes and took an 11-7 lead into the first media timeout. The Hawkeyes missed some high-percentage looks around the rim, and Fairfield capitalized, even putting together a rare six-point possession that stunned the home crowd.
By the end of the first quarter, Fairfield had drained six threes and built a 22-17 lead. But Iowa didn’t flinch.
They closed the period with a 6-0 run and leaned on their young talent to weather early foul trouble. Freshman Journey Houston provided a much-needed spark with six points during a stretch where Iowa was forced to go deep into its bench.
The Hawkeyes found themselves trailing by as many as 11 in the first half, but they clawed back. At the under-eight timeout, it was all square at 24.
The comeback was fueled by a pair of freshmen-Houston and Addie Deal-who stepped up when the veterans were sidelined. Hannah Stuelke picked up two early fouls and sat for the final 9:25 of the half, while Feuerbach was tagged with three fouls before the break.
Deal made her presence felt in a big way. She buried a deep three to give Iowa a six-point lead with just over a minute left in the half, then beat the buzzer with a smooth jumper to send the Hawkeyes into the locker room up 41-35.
At halftime, McCabe led all scorers with 10 points, while Deal and Houston each added seven. Sophomore center Ava Heiden quietly filled the stat sheet with five points, nine boards, and three assists. The one blemish: Iowa’s 11 first-half turnovers, which gave Fairfield extra possessions and allowed them to hang around.
Second Half: Hawkeyes Settle In and Take Control
The third quarter didn’t have much rhythm, but Iowa managed to find enough of a groove to extend its lead. Stuelke, back on the floor, got behind the defense for an easy bucket that pushed the lead to nine and forced a Fairfield timeout. Neither offense could find much consistency-just eight total points were scored in the first five minutes of the third-but Iowa’s defense was making life difficult for the Stags.
Feuerbach hit a timely three, and Sydney Stremlow added a layup to give Iowa a 56-45 lead heading into the fourth. Fairfield, which had hit six straight threes earlier in the game, suddenly cooled off, making just three of its next 16 attempts from deep.
But Fairfield wasn’t going quietly. This is a proud mid-major program with real firepower, and they showed it again in the fourth quarter.
Four consecutive threes cut Iowa’s lead to single digits, and the Hawkeyes had to dig deep once more. Iowa led by as many as 17 in the final frame, but Fairfield trimmed it back to eight with just over five minutes to go.
That’s when Feuerbach’s experience came through in a big way. She entered the game averaging just four points, but she played like a seasoned vet when it mattered most.
Whether it was a clutch three or a smart pass, she made the kind of plays you expect from a sixth-year senior. Every time Fairfield threatened, Feuerbach had an answer.
Despite the defensive lapses from deep-Fairfield finished with a program-record 18 made threes-Iowa never lost its composure. The Hawkeyes were tested, but they passed with flying colors.
Stars of the Game
Ava Heiden - The sophomore big was a force on both ends. Her stat line tells the story: 18 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals.
But beyond the numbers, it’s the way she played-calm, composed, and in control. She’s clearly taken a leap in her understanding of how to use her size and skill to impact the game.
Whether it was protecting the paint, cleaning the glass, or facilitating from the high post, Heiden was everywhere.
Journey Houston - The freshman continues to impress. She’s not the biggest forward on the floor, but she plays with a level of awareness and toughness that’s rare for a first-year player.
Houston finished with seven points, six rebounds, and three assists, and she did it all in crucial moments. With Iowa dealing with injuries and foul trouble at the forward spots, Houston made a strong case for a permanent spot in the rotation-even when the roster is back to full strength.
Stat of the Game
Iowa trailed by 11 points in the first quarter-their largest deficit of the season. The fact that they turned that into a 14-point win says a lot about this team’s resolve and depth. And with the win, Iowa moves to 8-0 for the second straight season-a feat that’s never happened before in program history.
What’s Next
Big Ten play is right around the corner. Iowa travels to Rutgers on December 6 to face a Scarlet Knights team that’s had a rocky start. On paper, Iowa should be favored, but if this game against Fairfield taught us anything, it’s that no opponent can be taken lightly-especially one that can shoot the lights out.