No. 10 Iowa blows a 17-point lead in the last 3:00, then outlasts No. 15 Maryland 85-78 in overtime

NOAH TRISTER | Associated Press

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Ava Heiden scored 20 points, and No. 10 Iowa recovered in overtime to beat No. 15 Maryland 85-78 after the Hawkeyes blew a 17-point lead in the final three minutes of regulation Thursday night.

Iowa (17-2 8-0) remained unbeaten in Big Ten play, but not without a scare. The Terrapins trailed 66-49 in the fourth quarter before coming all the way back and tying the game at 73 on Oluchi Okananwa’s 3-pointer with 9.3 seconds remaining.

Maryland (17-4, 5-4) briefly led in overtime, but its offense dried up late and the Hawkeyes pulled away again. Maryland lost its second straight after the Terps were beaten 97-67 at UCLA last weekend.

This is Iowa’s first 8-0 start in Big Ten play since 1995-96, when the Hawkeyes won their first 12 conference games.

Chazadi Wright scored 18 points for the Hawkeyes, who have won seven in a row. Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Maryland.

Iowa and No. 3 UCLA are undefeated in Big Ten play this season, although the Hawkeyes will be tested again when they face No. 12 Ohio State this weekend.

Iowa led 33-27 at the half and went on an 8-2 run to push their lead to nine at the end of the third quarter. Then Journey Houston scored three straight baskets in the fourth to make it 54-42.

It was a 17-point advantage before Maryland began its rally with a three-point play by Addi Mack, then a pair of free throws by Okananwa following a quick Iowa turnover. Saylor Poffenbarger’s 3-pointer cut the lead to nine.

It was 71-64 when Mack made a layup with 30.2 seconds left. Then a steal and layup by Kyndal Walker cut it to three. After Iowa turned the ball over yet again, Okananwa’s two free throws made it 71-70 with 22.6 seconds left.

Kylie Feuerbach’s two free throws pushed the lead back to three, but Okananwa’s 3-pointer tied it, and Wright’s jumper at the other end was blocked.

IOWA INDIVIDUAL NOTES
– Hannah Stuelke notched 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
– It was Stuelke’s fifth double-double of the year which ties for a team-high.
– Stuelke has registered at least 10+ points and 5+ rebounds in 13 of Iowa’s last 15 games.
– Stuelke has amassed 1,400 career points which is good for 20th all-time in school history.
– Stuelke extended her streak of eight or more rebounds to four straight games.
– Chit-Chat Wright registered 18 points (7-8 FT), five assists, and two rebounds.
– Wright has recorded 10+ points and 3+ assists in seven out of the last eight games.
– Ava Heiden led all scorers with 20 points (9-13 FG) and eight rebounds.
– It was Heiden’s sixth 20+ point performance this season.
– Heiden became the first Hawkeye to record 300+ points this season.
– Heiden has reached double figures in seven straight games and against all eight Big Ten opponents.
– Taylor McCabe registered 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from 3-point range.
– McCabe has made three or more 3-pointers this season on nine occasions.
– Journey Houston recorded 10 points (5-8 FG) and six rebounds.
– It was Houston’s third game in double figures against a Big Ten team.

IOWA TEAM NOTES
– Iowa picked up its third win all-time against Maryland in College Park. (1992, 2024)
– The Hawkeyes have now won four out of the last six matchups with the Terps.
– Iowa extended their win streak to seven games.
– Iowa’s 8-0 start to Big Ten action ties for the best start since 1995-96 when the Hawkeyes began league play, 12-0.
– Jan Jensen’s Hawkeyes improved to 7-8 against AP Top 25 teams over the past two seasons.
– Iowa is 4-2 against AP Top 25 foes this season.
– Iowa improved to 20-1 when scoring 80+ points in the Jensen era.