Everything Iowa women’s basketball fans had hoped for was fulfilled on New Year’s Day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena: a rivalry victory, a ranked victory, and a performance that left social media talking long after the final horn blew. Hawkeye supporters flocked to social media to celebrate a decisive victory over a well-known Big Ten rival after No. 14 Iowa (12–2, 3–0 Big Ten) defeated No. 25 Nebraska (12–2, 1–2 Big Ten) by a final score of 86–76. Reactions ranged from excitement about Iowa’s undefeated start in conference play to praise for individual performances, reflecting both pride and growing confidence in what this team is becoming.
There were all the makings of a big showdown in this matchup. Early in Big Ten play, both teams had the same overall records, national rankings, and a lot on the line. In front of a boisterous home crowd on New Year’s Day, Iowa demonstrated poise, balance, and resiliency when it mattered.
Chit-Chat Wright, a sophomore point guard who had the best game of her young career, was the focus of much of the fan excitement. Wright led the Hawkeyes with a career-high 24 points while maintaining control and efficiency. She finished 11-for-12 from the free-throw line, shot 5-for-12 from the field, and made three of her five three-point attempts. Fans praised her performance right away on social media, praising her self-assurance, resilience, and capacity to step up in a competitive game.
The Hawkeye supporters noticed that Wright wasn’t carrying the load alone. With a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, senior forward Hannah Stuelke put on a dominant all-around performance that helped Iowa control important portions of the game.
Her physical presence inside and her ability to score when Iowa needed a response were praised by the crowd. With 18 points and seven rebounds, Ava Heiden completed Iowa’s trio of double-figure scorers. Supporters cited Iowa’s depth and versatility as a key factor in the Hawkeyes’ ability to repel Nebraska’s pushes, and her consistent contributions on both ends of the floor were also acknowledged.
Nebraska repeatedly tried to close the gap throughout the afternoon, but Iowa consistently responded. Every well-timed basket, defensive stop, or trip to the free-throw line energized the crowd and subsequently sparked a barrage of joyous responses on social media. With the Big Ten schedule just starting to heat up, many fans stressed how crucial it was to defend home court against a ranked opponent and rival.
With the victory, Iowa is now 3-0 in conference play, a start that has inspired hope and enthusiasm among the supporters. Reactions showed that this group is becoming more at ease with every game, figuring out how to win by sharing responsibility instead of depending just on one player.
Fan conversations now frequently touch on that group effort. Supporters are optimistic about Iowa’s future as January progresses due to the team’s ability to generate significant output from a variety of players, strong guard play, and interior toughness. Some responses also considered the future in addition to the immediate celebration.
Fans recognized the value of staying focused while acknowledging the importance of defeating a ranked Nebraska team in the face of impending road games and conference challenges. A victory over a top-25 opponent on New Year’s Day has the potential to influence momentum for weeks to come.
Iowa will swiftly turn its focus to the future as the excitement surrounding the win continues. The Hawkeyes will continue to play in the Big Ten as they get ready for future games, hoping to build on the outcome as well as the self-assurance they gained from a high-profile rivalry victory.
However, Hawkeye supporters were happy to enjoy everything for a single day, including the performances, the score, and the sense of making a statement to begin the new year. Iowa’s victory over Nebraska wasn’t just another outcome, based on the wave of responses that followed. It served as a reminder of how enthusiastic and involved the supporters are whenever this team succeeds.
