Taylor McCabe Steps Up After Teammate Carried Off Floor With Injury
It was one of those nights in sports that makes you feel everything at once: anxiety, hope, and relief. During Iowa Hawkeyes’ clash with No. 7 Baylor in the WBCA State Farm Showcase, a scary moment turned the game on its head when a teammate was carried off the floor with an injury. In that tense moment, Taylor McCabe became the steady hand Iowa desperately needed.
From the opening tip, you could sense this game would test the Hawkeyes. The court in Orlando was buzzing, the crowd loud, and the stakes high. But the real drama didn’t come from the scoreboard it came from the moment Iowa’s starting point guard, Chit‑Chat Wright, went down in the third quarter. The sophomore had to be helped off the court, and you could see it in the faces of the players: fear mixed with determination.
McCabe Shines Amid the Chaos
Once Wright left the game, the atmosphere changed instantly. Iowa’s rhythm faltered. But Taylor McCabe didn’t skip a beat. The senior guard from Fremont, Nebraska, who’s known for her ice-cold shooting and calm presence, stepped into the spotlight. She delivered key shots, kept her composure, and quietly reminded her teammates how to play through adversity.
Watching McCabe in that stretch, it wasn’t just about points on the board. It was about leadership. She directed teammates, made smart passes, and took control when everything around her felt uncertain. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t always show up on a stat sheet but leaves a mark on a team’s psyche.
How the Hawkeyes Held On
The game itself was a grind. Iowa shot just over 34 percent from the field, but somehow managed to claw out a 57‑52 victory. After Wright’s exit, Taylor Stremlow stepped up at point guard, pouring in 12 gritty points. Ava Heiden dominated the paint with 18 points and 11 rebounds. And throughout it all, McCabe was the quiet force keeping the offense moving.
It was the kind of game where every possession mattered, every rebound felt heavier than usual, and every shot seemed like it could tilt the balance. And yet, Iowa held on. And McCabe? She held the team together.
A Veteran Voice in a Young Team
This season, Taylor McCabe has already been a cornerstone for the Hawkeyes. Her career three-point shooting, experience in tight games, and calm leadership make her the kind of player younger teammates look up to. And on nights like this, that leadership becomes vital.
You could see it in the way she encouraged teammates after missed shots, in the way she stayed composed under Baylor’s defensive pressure, and in the way she reminded everyone that even in the middle of chaos, there’s a game to win.
What This Means Going Forward
Iowa’s win over Baylor wasn’t just another checkmark in the win column it was proof this team can adapt under pressure. Losing a key starter mid-game could have crushed their confidence. Instead, they rallied, leaned on veterans like McCabe, and walked away with a hard-fought victory that could define their season.
As the Hawkeyes dive into Big Ten play and face tougher challenges, one thing is clear: when adversity hits, Taylor McCabe knows how to deliver. She’s the player who steps up when it matters most, the teammate who steadies the ship, and the kind of leader that gives Iowa fans hope that this team can go all the way.
