On Sunday afternoon, Iowa women’s basketball returned to Carver-Hawkeye Arena with the goal of maintaining their perfect record against a self-assured Fairfield team that came in at 4-1. The Hawkeyes, ranked 14th, entered the game riding high after defeating Western Illinois 86–69, with a standout performance from rookie guard Addie Deal. However, Fairfield punched first and forced the Hawkeyes to make a difficult decision early on, showing little regard for Iowa.
Before Iowa mounted a late comeback to close the gap, the Stags launched an unexpected 22–11 lead after making six three-pointers in the first quarter. The Hawkeyes’ early problems were evident: too many missed layups, late perimeter recoveries, and an uneasy offensive rhythm against a self-assured, well-spaced Fairfield team. However, the Hawkeyes ended the first period on a 6-0 run to trail just 22-17. Although Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke each contributed four early points, the Hawkeyes were just not completing plays that they typically convert.
Iowa had to deal with some carelessness in the first quarter after Fairfield’s early 11–2 run, which included three easy triples. Normally automatic point-blank shots weren’t falling. Shooters were one step ahead of defensive rotations. As those threes continued to fall, Fairfield’s confidence only increased. Iowa had to react to an early blow, and they eventually did.
After the start of the second quarter, something became clear. The defense tightened, Iowa’s energy level shifted, and bench forward Journey Houston contributed to a surge that fundamentally altered the game’s mood. The Hawkeyes went on a 13–2 run with 7:46 remaining in the half, tying the score at 24–24 and forcing Fairfield to use a timeout. During the spurt, Houston scored six points off the bench and added some much-needed aggression to the offense with back-to-back baskets.
Iowa appeared much more like itself after that. The ball movement stabilized, the defensive pressure increased, and it became more difficult to get Fairfield’s clean early looks from deep. Nevertheless, the slow start was a reminder that this game would require more poise than Iowa had displayed in the first ten minutes.
After being listed as questionable, point guard Chit-Chat Wright was ruled out, leaving the Hawkeyes short-staffed once more. During warmups, Wright showed up in street clothes, implying that she might be getting close to making a comeback but wasn’t quite ready. Iowa used the same starting lineup against Western Illinois despite Wright’s injury. In terms of ball movement, that consistency paid off early on, but Wright’s burst and on-ball pressure during Fairfield’s first-quarter shooting assault were obviously missed by Iowa. However, as the first half progressed, Iowa’s depth helped shift momentum back in its favor, the Hawkeyes steadied themselves, and the second unit offered a useful spark.
The Hawkeyes, who went into Sunday at 7-0 with a number of noteworthy victories already under their belt, also had a busy stretch ahead of them. Their early-season record includes victories over Southern, Evansville, and Drake; a convincing victory over Northern Iowa on the road; and tough neutral-site triumphs over Miami and Baylor in Orlando. Deal scored a team-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including three triples, along with five assists and three rebounds, during the game against Western Illinois, showcasing the program’s youthful talent.
The Hawkeyes had another chance to demonstrate development and resiliency in real time during their game against Fairfield on Sunday. The Stags carried out their strategy ahead of schedule, and Fairfield’s heavy reliance on the three-point shot was well-established. Whether Iowa could withstand the onslaught, improve its execution, and regain control became the question. The Hawkeyes had begun doing just that by the middle of the second quarter. In the future, Iowa’s schedule will pick up speed. The Hawkeyes play Rutgers on December 6 after Fairfield, followed by the yearly Cy-Hawk matchup at Iowa State on December 10. The December schedule will put Iowa’s poise, depth, and maturity to the test with games against Lindenwood and a big game against UConn on December 20.
Soon after, conference play starts. From late December through March, the Big Ten will play games against Penn State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Indiana, Michigan State, Maryland, and a number of other teams. The Big Ten Tournament, which takes place from March 4–8, is the culmination of the journey. As Sunday progressed, the focus shifted to Iowa’s ability to persevere under duress. The Hawkeyes’ ability to absorb that early surge and respond with sustained scoring and improved defense was exactly the kind of growth this young group needs as tougher opponents loom. Fairfield, on the other hand, came out fearless. Iowa demonstrated that it could adjust, regroup, and respond to challenges even in the absence of Wright and following a shaky start.
