It was a nightmare Sunday for the McCabe family as McCabe sisters basketball injuries stole the spotlight from two midseason games. Iowa Hawkeyes senior guard Taylor McCabe was forced out 23 seconds into a 91-70 win over Ohio State after suffering a severe non-contact knee injury. Hours later in Des Moines, Taylor’s younger sister Peyton McCabe, a Drake University sophomore guard, fell awkwardly on her ankle in an 89-88 loss to conference-leading Murray State and had to be carried off the floor. Both players were deeply hurt Taylor with a feared knee injury and Peyton with a serious lower-leg (ankle) injury leaving teammates, coaches and fans anxiously awaiting news.
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McCabe sisters basketball injuries
On the same day, both the Drake Bulldogs and the Iowa Hawkeyes lost important players. Fremont, Nebraska, sharpshooter Taylor McCabe left after her knee gave way during her first defensive play. She was averaging roughly eight points per game and is among Iowa’s most accurate 3-point shooters (37.8% this season, 40.7% for her career). “I’m really, really sick about Taylor’s injury… it’s heartbreaking McCabe sisters basketball injuries,” head coach Jan Jensen said after ordering an MRI for Sunday night right away. The atmosphere was depressing, but the Hawkeyes insisted on finishing strong and rode Addie Deal’s unexpected 20-point performance to a significant victory. The team was “praying for (Taylor),” according to rookie guard Kylie Feuerbach.I hope all is well.”
Late in the first half, Drake’s heart fell at the Knapp Center in Des Moines. Taylor slipped on defense after Peyton McCabe, a 5’7″ guard from Blair, Nebraska, her hometown, had recorded a team-high 5 points and 2 assists in 15½ minutes. She reportedly “felt awkwardly,” fell, and required transportation. Drake lost a devastating one-point game, in contrast to Iowa’s historic victory, but Peyton’s health became the greater worry, McCabe sisters basketball injuries.
Similar to her sister, the severity of the injury has not been officially reported. After the game, Drake coach Allison Pohlman concentrated on the defeat rather than Peyton’s condition. A difficult break for the Bulldogs was also discussed in the locker room; they lost their sophomore guard just as she was settling into a rhythm.
Taylor McCabe’s injury
Just 23 seconds after tipoff, Taylor McCabe suffered a left knee injury during a defensive play. According to the Gazette, she was “carried to the tunnel” after suffering a “non-contact” injury and then made a brief return to the bench. Jensen stated that although she was unsure if it would be the end of the season, she feared the worst. McCabe is currently Iowa’s fourth-leading scorer, and her role has grown with each passing season.
NCAA women’s basketball season
”I’m going to go out there and give it my all as soon as my number is called,” declared Deal, who bravely intervened. Jan Jensen added that Taylor won’t be prepared for Iowa’s next road trip to USC and UCLA, at best. To put it briefly, Iowa may be without one of its best shooters for some time. Taylor is “hoping against hope” that the injury won’t end his season until the MRI results are in.
Peyton McCabe’s injury
Peyton McCabe’s injury on the other side of town appeared equally concerning but is even less clear. She “felt awkwardly on defense… had to be carried off the floor and did not return,” according to the Drake women’s basketball news release. The Blair, Nebraska, sophomore had already had a significant impact, scoring five points and dishing out two assists while spearheading a run in the fourth quarter. Losing Peyton was a cruel turn of events because the Bulldogs had even taken the lead in the last minute.
Pohlman cited errors resulting from turnovers that cost Drake the victory after the game, but she provided no details about Peyton. Her teammates could only hope she didn’t get seriously hurt. The game recap mentioned Peyton’s stat line and absence, but it did not offer any next steps. Drake won’t know whether their sophomore backcourt player can play again this season until he receives medical updates.
Team updates and reaction
Now, both teams must deal with the harsh reality of playing without a crucial veteran. Iowa, 18-2 and undefeated in the Big Ten, needs to rely on its depth. Although Jensen acknowledged the “big blow” of losing McCabe, she described the situation as a “crisis averted (at least, for now)” because her team still prevailed. In the hopes that a sore knee won’t be torn, the Hawkeyes will travel west without her. Fans and athletes expressed their concerns on social media, frequently using hashtags like #PrayForTaylor, and even rival teams sent well wishes. The cross-town community is united in support of the McCabes, according to the Des Moines Register.
Read: Big Ten women’s basketball analysis
The atmosphere at Drake is equally somber. After the defeat, the Bulldogs were 6-13 (5-4 MVC), vying for a postseason berth. It’s devastating when a sophomore leaves with an injury the same night her sister was hurt in a rival Big Ten town. Colleagues need to be understanding and keep their attention on the timetable. Beyond the game notes, neither Drake University athletics nor coach Pohlman have made any formal remarks regarding Peyton’s situation. To find out if she will be sidelined for an extended period of time, the Bulldogs and their supporters must wait for the results of the MRI or X-ray.
Doctors are currently tending to both McCabe sisters, and the basketball community is on guard. Peyton’s injury in a mid-major Bulldogs team and Taylor’s injury in a top-10 Iowa team will be remembered as a cruel coincidence. As medical examinations continue, coaches Jan Jensen and Allison Pohlman have asked for patience. It’s “heartbreaking” to see Taylor hurt, as Jensen stated, and Peyton is undoubtedly in the same boat. Teammates and family will remain unified in support until the complete diagnosis is known, hoping for recovery news that brings comfort rather than further heartache.
