The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team delivered a statement win on the road, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 83-74 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, on February 19, 2026. This victory, their 21st of the season, propels Iowa to a 21-5 overall record and 12-3 in Big Ten play, keeping them firmly in the hunt near the top of the conference standings as the regular season winds down.
Despite the absence of senior forward Hannah Stuelke, sidelined with an upper-body injury and listed as day-to-day, the Hawkeyes showed depth and resilience. Freshman Journey Houston stepped into the starting lineup for the first time in her career and made an immediate impact, scoring a career-high 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting, pulling down five rebounds, and dishing out two assists. Houston’s poise under pressure was vital, especially with Iowa’s bench stretched thin due to injuries to sophomore guard Emely Rodriguez and senior forward Jada Gyamfi, both of whom remained unavailable.
“IN HEAVEN, THERE IS NO BEER! HAWKEYES WIN!” echoed the sentiment of Iowa fans as the final horn sounded, marking another impressive road win for Jan Jensen’s squad. The Hawkeyes came out firing, racing to a 29-14 lead after the first quarter. Their offensive execution was nearly flawless early on, as they shot 12-of-15 from the field in the opening frame and didn’t commit a turnover. Sophomore guard Taylor Stremlow set the tone, racking up 10 points in the first quarter alone and finishing the night with a blistering 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. Stremlow also matched her season-high with eight assists and added three rebounds and two steals, besting her previous career-high in points set just three days earlier against Nebraska.
“Stremlow continues to dominate. She has 10 points,” reported Gus Martin during the first quarter, as Iowa’s offense hummed with Stremlow and sophomore center Ava Heiden leading the charge. Heiden was an unstoppable force inside, tallying a game-high 21 points on 10-for-12 shooting, grabbing 13 rebounds, and contributing three assists and three steals. This marked Heiden’s second consecutive and seventh double-double of the season, underscoring her emergence as one of the Big Ten’s premier post players.
Kylie Feuerbach, the senior guard, chipped in 10 points, while Chit-Chat Wright, despite an off night shooting (six points on 1-for-7 from the field), provided defensive energy and leadership. Iowa’s balanced attack and relentless pace left Purdue struggling to keep up. The Boilermakers, missing their own key contributor in senior guard Madison Layden-Zay (10.2 points per game), found themselves in early foul trouble and plagued by turnovers. At one point in the second quarter, Purdue went over six minutes without a single point and more than seven minutes without a field goal, allowing Iowa to stretch the lead to as many as 21 points.
By halftime, Iowa led 51-32, shooting an astonishing 76.7% (23-for-30) from the floor, 63.6% (7-for-11) from three, and 66.7% (4-for-6) from the line. Defensively, the Hawkeyes forced six turnovers, including four steals and a block, and held Purdue to just 35% shooting overall and 23% from beyond the arc. “Just a tremendous offensive showcase by the Hawkeyes,” wrote Gus Martin, noting Stremlow’s perfect 5-for-5 mark from three-point territory at the break.
Purdue made several pushes in the second half, narrowing the deficit to 11 late in the third quarter as Iowa endured a four-minute scoring drought. The Boilermakers’ second-half surge was fueled by improved defensive pressure and a more aggressive offensive approach, but every time they threatened to make it a game, Iowa’s young guns stepped up. Houston and fellow freshman Addie Deal scored clutch baskets to keep Purdue at bay, and Heiden’s dominance on the glass ensured the Hawkeyes maintained control.
The fourth quarter saw Iowa continue to rotate in younger players, with Teagan Mallegni and Layla Hays seeing extended minutes. While the increased substitutions led to some sloppier play—back-to-back quarters with six turnovers each—the experience gained by the underclassmen could prove invaluable as the season progresses. “This kind of game experience is invaluable even if they didn’t light up the stat sheet,” noted one observer, highlighting Jensen’s willingness to trust her bench in key moments.
As the clock wound down, Purdue’s hopes of a comeback faded. The Hawkeyes’ steady play and composure under pressure allowed them to weather every Boilermaker run. “Credit to Purdue for not bowing down, but not sure there’s enough time left,” Martin commented with under a minute remaining. Iowa’s final tally of 83 points came on 59.3% shooting from the field—a testament to their offensive efficiency despite missing key personnel.
With the win, Iowa solidifies its position in the upper echelon of the Big Ten and builds momentum heading into a crucial stretch. The Hawkeyes’ next test comes at home against Michigan on February 22, followed by a matchup with Illinois on February 26. For Purdue, now 12-14 overall and 4-11 in conference play, the focus shifts to fighting for a spot in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes hope to have Stuelke back in the lineup soon, but if Wednesday’s performance is any indication, this team’s blend of seasoned leaders and rising stars is more than capable of rising to the occasion. With Heiden and Stremlow playing at an elite level and the freshmen gaining confidence, Iowa’s championship aspirations remain very much alive.
As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Iowa to see if they can maintain this momentum and make a deep run in both the conference and national tournaments. For now, Hawkeye fans can savor a hard-earned road win and look forward to the next challenge on the horizon.