Kylie Feuerbach return boosts Iowa women’s basketball in comeback win vs Indiana. Hawkeyes shock Indiana in a Big Ten thriller as Kylie Feuerbach’s return ignites Iowa’s comeback. For Iowa women’s basketball, Kylie Feuerbach’s return couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. The Hawkeyes relied on Feuerbach’s defense and toughness to fuel a spectacular second-half turnaround that turned the game—and possibly the season—on its head when they were down big, having trouble finding rhythm, and playing in a hostile road environment.
Iowa’s No. 14 team knew going into Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday afternoon that it would need something extra to remain undefeated in Big Ten play, but Kylie Feuerbach’s return changes everything. The Hawkeyes benefited greatly from Kylie Feuerbach’s timely return.
Feuerbach didn’t start after missing three games due to an ankle injury, but as soon as she took the field, her presence was noticeable. After a difficult first half, Iowa was looking for answers as they trailed Indiana 35–19 at the half. The Hawkeyes had pulled off a tough 56–53 comeback victory by the final buzzer, demonstrating their tenacity, defensive tenacity, and championship DNA.
“Halftime was a come-to-reality check,” Iowa assistant coach Sean Sullivan said postgame. “And Kylie did an excellent job.”
Second-half surge flips the script
After the break, Iowa responded right away. The Hawkeyes cut the deficit and altered the atmosphere in the arena as they stormed out of the locker room with a 19–4 run in the third quarter. With 2:53 left, Lenee Beaumont made a three-pointer to give the Hoosiers a 50–48 lead, giving Indiana a brief boost.
Kylie Feuerbach return boosts Iowa women’s basketball in comeback win vs Indiana. Indiana would not dominate the game again after that. Chit-Chat Wright gave Iowa the lead with a crucial three-pointer. It was 53–50 when Ava Heiden found Hannah Stuelke under the basket moments later. After that, Taylor Stremlow made a free throw, and Wright made two more at the line to seal the victory for Iowa.
Defense sets the tone
The game was ultimately decided on the defensive end, which is where Kylie Feuerbach’s return really mattered, even though the scoring plays told part of the story. Indiana guard Shay Ciezki scored 19 points in the first half to give the Hoosiers a commanding lead.
Feuerbach followed Ciezki after halftime, and she only scored two points the remainder of the game. Feuerbach’s influence extended well beyond the box score, even though she only scored five points, including a crucial three during Iowa’s third-quarter rally.
Jan Jensen, the head coach of Iowa, described her as the defensive specialist. She is a fixer. She’s a glue kid. It matters when we don’t have her. Iowa disrupted Indiana’s rhythm and forced difficult possessions late in the game by aggressively trapping Ciezki on ball screens.
Iowa is carried by balanced effort. With 13 points apiece, Heiden and Wright led Iowa. When Iowa needed it most, Stuelke anchored the paint with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Feuerbach gave credit to the team’s change in perspective at the half. She remarked, “Coach was harping on competitive stamina.” “We knew we were a fantastic team. All we needed to do was work hard and get back into it.
Big picture implications
With the win, Iowa’s record improved to 14-2 overall and 5-0 in Big Ten play, keeping the Hawkeyes tied for first place in the conference with UCLA. More significantly, it reaffirmed Iowa’s reputation as a resilient team, particularly with Feuerbach returning to the starting lineup.
With momentum, self-assurance, and a defensive advantage that could define the remainder of the season, Iowa will now return home to host Oregon on Thursday night.
A season doesn’t always depend on a stat line or a buzzer-beater. Occasionally, it activates the player’s return and fixes everything. And Kylie Feuerbach’s comeback on Sunday accomplished just that.
