Iowa Survives Maryland Comeback With Overtime Victory

The XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland, was the stage for one of the most dramatic showdowns of the women’s college basketball season as No. 10 Iowa faced off against No. 13 Maryland on January 22, 2026. The Hawkeyes, riding a six-game winning streak and boasting a perfect Big Ten record, arrived determined to prove their mettle against a Terrapin squad that had dominated the all-time series, leading 12-7. The matchup was broadcast nationally on Peacock and NBC, drawing a broad audience eager to witness a battle between two of the conference’s best.

Entering the contest, Iowa (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) looked to extend its impressive run under head coach Jan Jensen. The Hawkeyes had momentum, with senior forward Hannah Stuelke coming off back-to-back standout performances—averaging 20 points on 17-for-26 shooting, 8.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks over the previous two games. Stuelke’s efforts had not gone unnoticed, as she swept Big Ten Player of the Week, AP National Player of the Week, and USBWA National Player of the Week honors. Freshman guard Addie Deal had also emerged as a potent threat off the bench, averaging 14 points on 7-for-13 shooting—including a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc—to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition.

Maryland (17-3, 5-3 Big Ten) entered the game after a taxing West Coast swing. The Terrapins had secured a gritty 62-55 win over USC but were handed a humbling 97-67 defeat by No. 3 UCLA. Junior guard Oluchi Okananwa had been a consistent star for the Terps, averaging 17.3 points per game on a remarkable 52.8% shooting clip. However, the team’s depth was tested as freshman guard Rainey Welson was sidelined with an injury, averaging 3.2 points in 11.5 minutes per contest. Iowa, too, faced roster challenges, missing sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez for the 13th consecutive game due to a lingering back injury. Rodriguez, in her limited action this season, had averaged 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 42.5% shooting.

The stakes were high as tipoff approached. Maryland, coached by the ever-motivated Brenda Frese, was eager to bounce back from its recent blowout loss. Iowa’s Jan Jensen acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “Brenda is an excellent coach, good colleague. She’s a great motivator on top of knowing the game. And—like all of us—she doesn’t like to lose, and she certainly never loses in that fashion. But I think she’s also smart enough to know UCLA has something special.” Jensen added, “With that being said, I’m sure Maryland has critiqued (the blowout loss) and were frustrated about this, this and this. So it doesn’t matter even though you know all of that (about UCLA). You’re going to be extra motivated, and you wanted to feel really good about things really quickly. So that’s definitely going to add another level of challenge to our cause.”

The opening quarter set the tone for a tense affair. Iowa’s starting lineup—Chit-Chat Wright, Taylor McCabe, Kylie Feuerbach, Hannah Stuelke, and Ava Heiden—came out aggressive, trading early baskets with Maryland. The Hawkeyes managed a 16-12 advantage by the end of the first, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm, missing 15 of the last 17 shots in the period. Iowa’s bench provided a spark, as Addie Deal and Journey Houston contributed timely buckets.

As the game progressed, Iowa’s perimeter shooting began to separate the teams. The Hawkeyes knocked down five of their first nine three-point attempts, with McCabe and Wright leading the charge. By halftime, Iowa held a 33-27 lead, shooting 41% from the field and 50% from deep. Maryland, meanwhile, struggled to crack the Hawkeyes’ defense, shooting just 28% and going 0-for-7 from long range in the first half.

The third quarter saw Maryland mount a brief comeback, fueled by a 7-0 run that forced Jensen to call timeout. Isimenme Ozzy-Momodu, Maryland’s interior presence, threatened a double-double before hobbling off the court late in the period. Despite being out-rebounded, Iowa clung to a 48-39 lead entering the fourth quarter, thanks in part to a big putback by Houston and timely free throws.

With just over eight minutes left in regulation, Iowa appeared to be in full control, leading 54-42. Freshman Journey Houston, stepping up in Ava Heiden’s absence due to foul trouble, went on a personal 10-0 run, helping the Hawkeyes extend their advantage. Stuelke notched another double-double, and McCabe continued to hit from outside. At the 3:15 mark, Iowa led by a commanding 17 points. But then, the game turned on its head.

Maryland, refusing to go quietly in front of a raucous home crowd, unleashed a furious 24-7 run, capitalizing on a string of Iowa turnovers and clutch shooting. Okananwa, who had been quiet much of the night due to foul trouble and tight defense, hit a game-tying three-pointer with just two seconds left in regulation, sending the contest into overtime and electrifying the XFINITY Center.

In the extra period, the Hawkeyes had to dig deep. Maryland briefly took its first lead since the opening quarter, but Iowa responded with poise. Chit-Chat Wright and Ava Heiden delivered at the free-throw line, while the Hawkeyes’ defense clamped down, holding Maryland to just three points over the final four minutes. Iowa closed the game on an 11-2 run, ultimately sealing an 85-78 victory and avoiding what would have been a monumental collapse.

Ava Heiden led the Hawkeyes with 20 points, while Chit-Chat Wright added 18. Stuelke and McCabe chipped in 12 apiece, and Houston finished with 10. For Maryland, Ozzy-Momodu paced the Terps with 18 points, and Okananwa’s late-game heroics nearly changed the outcome. The win moved Iowa to 17-2 overall and 8-0 in Big Ten play, while Maryland dropped to 17-4 and 5-4 in conference action.

The game was a showcase of resilience and high-level women’s basketball. Iowa’s ability to withstand Maryland’s late surge and regroup in overtime demonstrated the Hawkeyes’ championship mentality. With the Big Ten season heating up, both teams now look ahead to pivotal matchups that could shape their postseason destinies. But for one night in College Park, the Hawkeyes proved they could weather the storm and emerge victorious in one of the season’s most thrilling finishes.