Kylie Feuerbach of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the basket against Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Photo/Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
Scout Springgate | Hawkeyes Wire
INDIANAPOLIS — Second-seeded Iowa women’s basketball (26-5, 15-3 Big Ten) advances to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game after overpowering No. 3 seed Michigan (25-6, 15-3 Big Ten), 59-42, in the semifinals Saturday afternoon from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Despite Michigan making the game a rock fight entering the fourth quarter with a one-point lead, Iowa outscored Michigan 24-6 in the final quarter to punch its ticket to a Sunday rematch against UCLA (30-1, 18-0 Big Ten).
While unanimous All-Big Ten First-Team sophomore center Ava Heiden led the way offensively with 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting, the collective scoring production of Hannah Stuelke (13 points), Chit-Chat Wright (13 points), and Taylor Stremlow (11 points) helped close the door on the Wolverines for the second time in the last 13 days. Stuelke would also collect her ninth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds in the win.
While the game featured 37 turnovers (20 for Iowa and 17 for Michigan), Iowa’s ability to limit Michigan’s scoring threats, Olivia Olson and Syla Swords, allowed Iowa to hold the Wolverines to a new season-low of 42 points.
Interestingly, Michigan’s previous season-low was also against the Hawkeyes, when Iowa defeated Michigan, 62-44, on Feb. 22 in Iowa City.
(Photo top right) Journey Houston of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Syla Swords of the Michigan Wolverines battle for the ball during the first half of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Photo: Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
(Photo top left) Iowa Hawkeyes guard Chazadi Wright (11) celebrates after a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Photo/ Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)
1:23 4th Quarter: Iowa 54, Michigan 41
Michigan Timeout.
Stremlow Dagger 3-pointer may have just ended this game.
3:10 4th Quarter: Iowa 50, Michigan 40
Iowa widens its lead to 10 points after deep 3-pointers from Wright and Stremlow have given the Hawkeyes a commanding lead.
7:20 4th Quarter: Iowa 42, Michigan 38
Michigan Timeout.
Hannah Stuelke’s six points early regain the lead for Iowa, as the Hawkeyes open up the quarter aggressively at the basket.
Hawkeyes fans are making noise!
End of 3rd Quarter: Michigan 36, Iowa 35
Both teams have been playing sloppily lately, with turnovers aplenty. Iowa has turned the ball over seven times in this quarter.
Michigan’s disruptive defense has turned this game into a rock fight entering the final quarter.
Michigan leads Iowa by just one point after three quarters, with fans of both teams expressing their displeasure with the officiating.
4:57 3rd Quarter: Michigan 34, Iowa 33
Media Timeout.
Michigan is shooting well in the third quarter so far, with Olson and Swords powering the Wolverines’ resurgence to take the lead. Michigan outscoring Iowa 12-5 in this quarter.
Iowa needs to respond defensively FAST!
9:01 3rd Quarter: Iowa 28, Michigan 26
Iowa Timeout.
Turnovers early in the third quarter forced Jan Jensen to call a timeout, as the Wolverines’ 5-0 scoring run closed the Hawkeyes’ advantage to just two points.
Hawkeyes Legends In Attendance
Halftime: Iowa 28, Michigan 22
Hawkeyes enter halftime with a six-point lead after the Wolverines respond offensively in the second quarter, making this an entertaining contest.
At the halftime break, Heiden’s team-leading 10 points on 4-for-10 from the floor and 2-for-3 at the free-throw line has paced Iowa’s scoring attack.
Defensively, Iowa has held Michigan to just 9-for-34 shooting and 3-for-12 from 3-point range, with eight steals (three steals and two blocks).
However, the Hawkeyes’ turnover woes allowed the Wolverines to claw back into the game in the second quarter, as six of Iowa’s total 10 turnovers occurred in the second frame.
2:58 2nd Quarter: Iowa 25, Michigan 17
Michigan Timeout.
Hawkeyes make major adjustments after the media timeout to go on a 6-1 scoring run to force a Wolverines timeout.
4:54 2nd Quarter: Iowa 19, Michigan 16
Media Timeout.
Syla Swords’ two 3-pointers and Olivia Olson’s pair of buckets bring the Wolverines back into this game, as the Hawkeyes are turning the ball over six times this quarter.
End of 1st Quarter: Iowa 13, Michigan 4
Despite Iowa’s offense stalling near the end of the first quarter, Iowa’s defense is making Michigan work for buckets, forcing low-percentage, highly contested shots.
Ava Heiden’s six points on 3-for-5 shooting are leading the Hawkeyes offensively through the end of the first quarter, with Taylor Stremlow not far behind with five points.
Iowa holds Michigan to a season-low four points scored in a single quarter.
5:44 1st Quarter: Iowa 9, Michigan 2
No flagrant foul was called, as Heiden’s contact with the Michigan player was deemed incidental.
5:44 1st Quarter: Iowa 9, Michigan 2
Media Timeout.
Iowa is shooting the lights out from the floor, while also stifling the Michigan offense through stellar defensive play.
Stremlow (three points) and Heiden (six points) are EVERYWHERE!
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Women’s BasketballMarch 07, 2026
Hawkeyes Pull Away from Wolverines
Second-seeded Iowa defeated third-seeded Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, 59-42.
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by Alina Davis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Second-seeded Iowa (26-5) defeated third-seeded Michigan (25-6) in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals on Saturday afternoon inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, 59-42.
Sophomore Ava Heiden led the day for the Hawkeyes with 16 points (7-of-15) and two assists. Senior Hannah Stuelke had a day of her own notching a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hawkeyes start the game on a 9-0 run to get the first quarter rolling. Heiden led the scoring with six points (3-for-5) in the paint. Iowa pulled down an impressive 15 rebounds and held the Wolverines to just 12.5 percent shooting from the field. The Hawkeyes headed into the second quarter with a 13-4 lead.
Michigan came back to fight in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes were held to just six points in the first five minutes before breaking away on a 6-0 run. Iowa notched three points on four Wolverine turnovers. The Hawkeyes held onto their 28-22 lead as they headed to the locker room.
It continued to be a back-and-forth battle as the third quarter kicked off. Iowa notched themselves five second-chance points. The Wolverines were held to just 37.5 percent from the field. Michigan was able to pull ahead of Iowa with a last second basket, ending the quarter up 36-35.
The Hawkeyes dominated the fourth quarter. Senior Hannah Stuelke led a 13-2 run to give Iowa their second-largest lead of the day. Stuelke dished out 11 points and one rebound to notch a double-double. Iowa shot 60 percent from the field. The Hawkeyes closed out a strong 59-42 win to send them to the Big Ten Championship game.
IOWA INDIVIDUAL NOTES
– Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
– It was Stuelke’s 20th career double-double.
– Ava Heiden recorded 16 points, two assists, and a rebound.
– Heiden has reached double figures in 19 straight games and against all 17 Big Ten opponents played this season.
– Heiden has netted double figures in four consecutive Big Ten Tournament games dating back to last year.
– Taylor Stremlow filled the stat sheet with 11 points, six assists, and six rebounds.
– Over the last four games, Stremlow has 31 assists to six turnovers.
– Stremlow has dished out five or more assists 12 times this season.
– Stremlow made her seventh consecutive start and 15th of the year.
– The Hawkeyes are 15-0 in such games when Stremlow is in the starting lineup this season.
– Chit-Chat Wright notched 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
– Wright has recorded three straight games in double figures.
– Journey Houston added six rebounds, four points, and a block.
IOWA TEAM NOTES
– Iowa advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Championship for the third time in the last four seasons.
– The Hawkeyes have won 26+ games 11 times in program history and in three out of the last four years.
– Iowa improved to 5-0 all-time against the Wolverines in the Big Ten Tournament.
– Iowa is 20-0 when leading at halftime this season.
– Jensen’s Big Ten Tournament record improved to 4-1 in her first two seasons.
– Iowa has won at least two games in the Big Ten Tournament in six consecutive seasons.
– Iowa and Michigan last met in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament Semifinals in Minneapolis.
– The Hawkeyes are 18-3 in Big Ten Tournament play since 2018-19.
– In two games in Indy, Iowa’s defense has held their opponents to 8-of-35 from 3-point range.
– Iowa has outscored Michigan, 44-13 combined in fourth quarters this season.
– The Wolverines combined for a total of 86 points in both games faced against Iowa. Michigan averages 85 points per game.
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