On the first day of 2026, Carver-Hawkeye Arena was buzzing as the No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball team faced off against No. 20 Nebraska in a matchup that lived up to its billing. The Hawkeyes, riding a wave of momentum into the new year, pulled away late to secure an 86-76 victory over their Big Ten rivals, improving their record to 12-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference play.
The afternoon clash was anything but a walk in the park. Nebraska, arriving with a strong 12-2 record and high expectations, kept the pressure on from the opening tip. The Huskers jumped out to a 12-2 lead, putting the home crowd on edge and forcing Iowa to dig deep early. At halftime, Nebraska clung to a narrow 45-44 advantage, having shot an impressive 20-of-33 in the first half. But as the game wore on, Iowa’s defense stiffened, and the Hawkeyes’ stars began to shine.
Second-year guard Chit-Chat Wright was the heartbeat of the Hawkeyes’ offense, pouring in a career-high 24 points while dishing out three assists and playing all but 38 seconds of the contest. “It’s like a dogfight,” Wright remarked after the game. “Whoever gets the most steals and rebounds is going to win.” Her relentless energy set the tone, especially during a pivotal 14-1 run midway through the fourth quarter that broke open a 70-70 tie and gave Iowa its largest lead of the afternoon.
Forward Hannah Stuelke was a force in the paint, racking up 21 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth consecutive double-double. Stuelke’s consistency has been a revelation for the Hawkeyes during this stretch. “We changed a couple of things (defensively),” Stuelke explained, “but we definitely ramped up the intensity.” That defensive effort was evident as Iowa held Nebraska to just 9-of-25 shooting in the second half and only one field goal in the final 5 minutes and 44 seconds. By the time Nebraska’s Britt Prince found the net with a layup and 29 seconds remaining, the outcome was firmly in Iowa’s grasp.
Center Ava Heiden added 18 points and seven rebounds, shooting an efficient 8-of-10 from the field. Heiden, who has averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game on a stellar 63.7% shooting clip this season, continued to anchor the Hawkeyes on both ends. Her recent 27-point explosion against Penn State was still fresh in fans’ minds, and she delivered another solid performance against the Huskers.
But it wasn’t just the stars who stepped up. Senior Taylor McCabe drilled a huge three-pointer with 4:32 left to give Iowa a 74-70 lead, and sophomore guard Taylor Stremlow followed up less than a minute later with a steal and layup that extended the margin to six—moments that felt like daggers to the Huskers’ hopes. Reserve guard Journey Houston made her presence felt as well, snagging a key offensive rebound, drawing a foul, and sinking both free throws to put the game out of reach.
“I thought it was definitely neat seeing some players have big plays at big times,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen said. “It was just getting second chances, coming up with steals.” Jensen, who has guided the Hawkeyes through a challenging early season slate, praised her team’s resolve and ability to close out tough games. “I thought this was a fun game early, a great matchup early. I thought it was going to take every bit of what we had, and then some.”
Wright was quick to credit her teammates for her standout performance. “I would say my team gives me a lot of confidence, and also they put a lot of trust in me,” she said. “So I just know, whatever I do, they’re going to have my back, whether it’s right or wrong.” Stuelke, ever the supportive teammate, chimed in: “It’s always right.”
Iowa’s offense was clicking, shooting 49 percent from the floor and converting 23-of-28 free throws, including a perfect 8-of-8 in the closing minutes. Every Hawkeye starter scored at least eight points, showcasing the team’s balanced attack. The Hawkeyes have now won 12 of their first 14 games and 11 of the past 13 meetings against Nebraska, cementing their status as a Big Ten power.
For Nebraska, Britt Prince led all scorers with 27 points, while Jessica Petrie chipped in 17 and Eliza Maupin contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. But the Huskers missed the presence of sophomore forward Amiah Hargrove, their second-leading scorer and top rebounder, who was sidelined with an injury. Nebraska’s Natalie Potts was also out, and Allison Weidner remains out for the season, further depleting the Huskers’ depth.
Iowa, meanwhile, was not without its own injury woes. Graduate senior guard Kylie Feuerbach missed her second straight game after suffering an ankle injury in the December 20 loss to UConn. She was listed as questionable leading up to tipoff but was ultimately in street clothes on the bench. The Hawkeyes were also without Emely Rodriguez, Kennise Johnson, and Jada Gyamfi, all ruled out before the game. Despite these absences, the team’s depth and resilience shone through.
With the win, Iowa not only maintained its unblemished Big Ten record but also sent a message to the rest of the conference. The Hawkeyes’ ability to lock down defensively in crunch time, combined with a versatile and potent offense, makes them a formidable opponent as the season heats up.
Looking ahead, Iowa will travel to Evanston, Illinois, to take on Northwestern on January 5. The Wildcats, after a hot start to the season, have struggled of late and are searching for their first Big Ten victory. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Central Time on Big Ten Network, and the Hawkeyes will look to keep their winning streak alive.
As the final buzzer sounded in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes could celebrate a hard-fought win and a promising start to 2026. With key players stepping up, a defense that tightens when it matters most, and a roster that refuses to back down despite injuries, Iowa continues to show why it belongs among the nation’s elite. Next stop: Evanston, where another Big Ten test awaits.
