The Iowa women’s basketball team left Evanston with a Big Ten road victory, which was far more significant than style points. No. 14 Iowa overcame a tough, uncomfortable test from Northwestern on a chilly Monday night inside Welsh-Ryan Arena, winning 67-58 to move the Hawkeyes to 13-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t clean, but in January road games, particularly in the Big Ten, survival frequently matters just as much as dominance.
Iowa had a lot of momentum and confidence going into the game, but Northwestern showed early on that it wouldn’t be an easy victory. The Wildcats persisted throughout the evening, taking advantage of Iowa’s errors and applying pressure until the very end. The Hawkeyes ultimately had enough answers to win their third road game of the season and their second in the Big Ten.
Turnovers were the main plot point from the first tip. Iowa coughed up the ball 20 times in all because it occasionally couldn’t get out of its own way. Even though Iowa had chances to take the lead, Northwestern was able to maintain striking distance because thirteen of those came in the first half alone. Rushed passes or misunderstandings resulted from possessions that ought to have ended with excellent shots, and those errors set the tone for an uncomfortable evening.
This type of performance has the potential to haunt a team in the future. Twenty turnovers can easily result in a lopsided score against more explosive opponents. The Hawkeyes are aware that this isn’t a sustainable formula if they want to compete well into conference play, but Iowa was fortunate that Northwestern was unable to fully capitalize. They were saved this time by late-game execution, but there was little room for error.
One player stood out every time she was on the floor, even though the offense as a whole had trouble finding rhythm. When she wasn’t dealing with foul trouble, sophomore center Ava Heiden was just outstanding. Throughout her early career, that has been a recurrent theme, and Monday night was no exception. Heiden’s playing time was restricted by a few dubious whistles, but she appeared to be the best player in the building.
Heiden finished 9-for-11 from the field, scoring a team-high 23 points while missing just two shots. She also added five rebounds and made five of her six free-throw attempts. She regularly converted in the paint and attracted defensive attention, making Iowa’s offense appear much calmer and more effective when she was inside. Keeping Heiden on the floor is crucial going forward because Iowa is a different team when she is compelled to watch from the bench.
Journey Houston provided the Hawkeyes with exactly what they needed from the bench, which was another plus. Houston stepped up with five points, six rebounds, and two steals as Iowa searched for vigor and toughness. Although those figures don’t immediately stand out, her influence was felt at the right times.
When Northwestern threatened to turn the tide of the game, she brought hustle, played fierce defense, and helped keep things under control. In the Big Ten, depth is crucial, particularly when traveling, and Houston’s capacity to play significant minutes is still a positive indication. Her contributions helped close the gap because there weren’t many offensive players at Iowa.
Even so, it was difficult to ignore those who weren’t on the ground. Due to their injuries, Kylie Feuerbach and Emely Rodriguez were obviously missed by Iowa. The Hawkeyes lacked their typical spark for extended periods of time, whether it was due to the road environment, the turnovers, or the slow shooting start from almost everyone who wasn’t Heiden.
On the defensive end, Feuerbach’s absence was particularly apparent. She is Iowa’s top perimeter defender and a reliable choice for both locking down opponents and making open shots under duress. In a game that seemed to be on the verge of collapse, her enthusiasm and adaptability could have had a big impact.
Rodriguez was also missed. She is Iowa’s most dangerous player off the bounce, aside from Chit-Chat Wright, because she can break down defenses and create her own shots. Without her, Iowa’s offense occasionally became monotonous, depending more on set plays and post touches than dribble penetration.
As the conference schedule gets more intense, it will be critical to get Feuerbach (ankle) and Rodriguez (back) healthy. Iowa demonstrated resilience in spite of all its flaws. When the game remained close, the Hawkeyes remained calm. They relied on Heiden’s productivity, played well in the closing minutes, and defended when it mattered to win. These are the kinds of games that define successful seasons even though they don’t appear impressive in a box score.
Ultimately, Iowa emerged from Evanston with an undefeated Big Ten record and a hard-won victory. Even though there are many things to improve, such as ball security, winning when things don’t go as planned can also boost confidence. That skill can be crucial in conference play, particularly when playing away from home.
