With a performance that made it clear where this team is headed, the Iowa women’s basketball team began Big Ten play. Jan Jensen’s unbeaten Hawkeyes defeated Rutgers 79–36 on the road to improve to 9-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play. This early victory sets up a crucial in-state matchup with ranked rival Iowa State on Wednesday. It’s important to examine what Iowa’s most recent victory showed about a team that is rapidly becoming one of the most complete in the nation before moving on to that heavyweight matchup.
A Defensive Clinic From Start to Finish
It almost seems like an understatement to describe Saturday’s victory as a defensive masterpiece. For three complete quarters, Iowa completely shut down Rutgers’ offense, limiting the Scarlet Knights to just eighteen points going into the fourth quarter. 18 points in 30 minutes of basketball—that wasn’t a typo. At that point, Iowa had such a firm grip on the game that the final period could have been played during warm-ups.
In every aspect of defense, the Hawkeyes were unrelenting. Iowa routinely closed out hard, contested shooters without fouling, and dominated the glass, which helped Rutgers shoot just 22% from the field and make just one of their 12 three-point attempts. The Hawkeyes converted 15 Rutgers turnovers into 17 points of their own and won the rebounding contest 49–36. For the Scarlet Knights, nothing was simple, and both the players’ performance and the staff’s well-thought-out strategy deserve praise.
Jensen has developed a defensive mindset that skillfully balances her team’s offensive prowess as she continues to carve her identity into the next phase of Iowa basketball. You can see why the Hawkeyes’ national rankings have been so favorable and why expectations continue to rise if they can consistently combine this level of defensive acumen with their already potent scoring.
Ava Heiden: The Breakout Star With No Signs of Slowing Down
One of Iowa’s most enjoyable and significant developments this season has been sophomore center Ava Heiden, who put on yet another excellent performance at Rutgers. Her stats—17 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks—show that she is a player who can influence the game in almost any way. She only committed one foul and shot an effective 8-for-13 from the field, a minor detail that demonstrates her maturity and discipline on defense.
Heiden is in elite national company with her season averages of 16.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and high-efficiency shooting at 63.7%. Heiden has the second-best field goal percentage among the 16 Division I players who are averaging at least 16 and nine, only surpassed by Avery Koenen of North Dakota State. It is uncommon to witness a sophomore not only meet but surpass elevated expectations. Additionally, Iowa will need all of Heiden’s composure and output on Wednesday when they play the formidable post Audi Crooks.
Freshman Trio Turns Promise Into Immediate Impact
A freshman class rarely lives up to the hype this quickly, but Iowa’s 2025 group—Journey Houston, Addie Deal, and Layla Hays—has shown it belongs right away. This class is a home run for Jensen and her staff, as demonstrated by Saturday’s performance. The trio has taken on significant roles earlier than many anticipated.
Houston had a fantastic 24 minutes off the bench, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Hays added nine points and four rebounds in just eighteen minutes, compared to Deal’s eight points in the same amount of time. Together, they have made Iowa deeper, more adaptable, and much harder to scout against. Each player contributes something unique to the floor. It frequently takes weeks, if not months, for freshmen to get used to the physicality and fast-paced nature of Big Ten basketball. These three? They entered prepared to contribute immediately.
Looking Ahead
In addition to adding another victory to Iowa’s record, Saturday’s crushing defeat of Rutgers strengthened the notion that this team is long-lasting. The Hawkeyes appear to be a contender thanks to Heiden, a rising star, a fierce and fearless freshman trio, and a rapidly developing defensive identity. Additionally, the timing of their best performance of the season couldn’t be more ideal with a test against a ranked Iowa State team approaching. Iowa’s conference debut left much room for improvement and little room for criticism. The Hawkeyes earned every bit of their momentum, self-assurance, and growing national attention on Saturday.
