In its Big Ten home debut on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa women’s basketball easily defeated Penn State 99–76. After improving to 11-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play, the 14th-ranked Hawkeyes displayed an offensive clinic that resembled a team getting comfortable in the Big Ten.
Still, the win didn’t come without a lingering concern.
One of Iowa’s most reliable and adaptable players, graduate senior guard Kylie Feuerbach, was absent for the second consecutive game. After sustaining an ankle injury during Iowa’s defeat to No. 1 UConn in New York, Feuerbach, a 6-foot guard from Sycamore, Illinois, was listed as questionable on the game-day availability report. Before slipping on the Madison Square Garden logo and jamming her ankle in what head coach Jan Jensen later called a “pretty unique” injury, she played just nine minutes in that game.
Against Penn State, Feuerbach never left the bench.
After the game, Jensen didn’t downplay how significant Feuerbach’s absence was, even on a day when nearly everything went right for Iowa.
“I was concerned without having Kylie,” Jensen said. “Kylie is one of our most efficient players. She’s really our best defender. She understands every press, she understands every play. She doesn’t ever have a misstep when it comes to that.”
Jensen clarified that Feuerbach’s basketball IQ is what makes him so valuable. She is more than just a stat-line contributor or a starter. She serves as a stabilizer. A captain. The kind of player who discreetly makes sure everyone is where they should be at the appropriate moment. It’s difficult to lose someone like that, particularly during Big Ten play.
“I was really glad this game was at home,” Jensen continued. “Because when you lose one of your team captains and she’s not going to be able to play at all, it’s challenging.”
The silver lining, however, came in the form of opportunity. With Feuerbach sidelined, Iowa was forced to extend the rotation and lean on players who might not always log heavy minutes. And that, Jensen noted, could pay dividends down the road.
“The positive was I knew we were going to be able to get some extended minutes for the others,” she said.
Feuerbach’s absence was nevertheless felt both tactically and emotionally. Jensen claims that the competitive senior found it difficult to support her teammates on the court.
Jensen remarked, “It was killing her not to play.” However, her situation is on a daily basis. Her ankle. We’re living day by day and will see someone once more tomorrow. Therefore, I’m not sure what her status will be in Nebraska and elsewhere.
With a matchup against rival Nebraska on New Year’s Day, there is a lot of uncertainty. Taylor Stremlow, a sophomore guard, replaced Feuerbach in the starting lineup and put on one of the most influential performances of her young career. In his 25 minutes of action, Stremlow finished with 14 points, two 3-pointers, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Jensen couldn’t stop praising Stremlow’s mindset and versatility, qualities that don’t always show up in the stat sheet but often define winning teams.
“I just can’t say enough about Taylor Stremlow,” Jensen said. “There’s few kids in the country that can start and be like, ‘Yeah, I’m good with it.’ Don’t start, don’t know how many minutes they’re going to play. Play the three, play the one, back up the two. That kid would play center if I asked her to.”
It’s that selflessness, Jensen emphasized, that makes Stremlow invaluable.
“She just has the heart that’s golden,” Jensen added. “She’s a competitor. With Taylor, it’s always about the mission. It’s always about, ‘How can I help this team?’”
Stremlow’s performance represented the program’s depth and versatility on a day when Iowa almost reached triple digits and appeared at ease on both ends of the court. When one crucial component fails, another is prepared to take over, accept any necessary role, and advance the group. Feuerbach’s ankle and the upcoming days are now the focus of everyone’s attention. On New Year’s Day, Iowa will play No. 24 Nebraska, who come into the game undefeated at 12-0 and 1-0 in Big Ten play. The Big Ten Network will broadcast nationwide coverage of the game, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CT at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
It’s unclear if Feuerbach will be able to return. It’s evident how important her presence is and how ready Iowa is to keep going regardless of who is on the floor.
