In a tightly contested women’s college basketball game, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Baylor Bears 57-52, with Taylor Stremlow’s key three-pointer playing a pivotal role in the victory. The No. 19 Hawkeyes overcame multiple injuries to key players to secure the win against the No. 7 Bears in the WBCA State Farm Showcase at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando on Thursday night, maintaining their undefeated record in a display of resilience and teamwork.
Ava Heiden led Iowa with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, with the majority of her production coming in the second half to anchor the team’s efforts. Her consistent scoring in the paint and dominance on the boards were crucial as the Hawkeyes navigated through a game filled with challenges, providing a steady presence when the offense struggled. Taylor Stremlow contributed 12 points, including a memorable long-range shot that energized the team and helped Iowa establish a lead during the critical moments of the fourth quarter, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
The Hawkeyes faced significant adversity early in the game when Hannah Stuelke turned an ankle in the first half, though she later returned to finish with 10 points and eight rebounds. Later, guard Chazadi Wright suffered an injury after a hard fall and had to be carried off the court, and Kylie Feuerbach fouled out with nearly eight minutes remaining, forcing Iowa to rely on its bench depth and younger players to step up in crucial situations.
Despite these setbacks, Iowa’s defense was stellar, holding Baylor to just 29% shooting from the field and 25% from three-point range, with the Bears missing their final 10 shots. This defensive intensity allowed the Hawkeyes to go on a decisive 9-0 run over a five-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, turning a narrow deficit into a lead they would not relinquish, highlighting their ability to execute under duress.
Baylor’s Taliah Scott was the standout performer for the Bears, scoring 32 points on 10-of-25 shooting, including six three-pointers and a stretch of 12 consecutive points in the fourth quarter that briefly gave her team the advantage. However, she missed her final five shots, and with no other Baylor player reaching double figures, the team’s heavy reliance on her offensive output became a liability as the game wore on.
The victory improves Iowa’s record to 5-0 and provides a significant confidence boost as they continue in the WBCA Showcase, with their next game against Miami on Saturday. Baylor, now 4-1, will look to bounce back against Davidson in the same event, as both teams use this experience to refine their strategies ahead of their upcoming conference schedules. This game underscored the importance of depth and defensive execution in high-stakes matchups early in the season.
