ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The Iowa Hawkeyes extended their winning streak against the Michigan Wolverines with a decisive 79-66 victory on Wednesday. Leading the charge was senior forward Syd Affolter, who delivered a career-high performance with 24 points and 11 rebounds, helping her team to improve to 9-8 in Big Ten play and 19-9 overall.
Affolter's remarkable display was marked by her perfect shooting from the three-point line, nailing all four attempts—14 of her points came during the explosive first quarter. Reflecting on her success, she credited her teammates for their support, stating, "Just having the confidence and my teammates gave me some great passes, so I obviously can’t do it without them."
With this victory, Iowa has shown resilience after suffering a narrow 67-65 loss to third-ranked UCLA only three days prior. Head coach Jan Jensen, who is finishing her first season, expressed her pride: "I am so grateful for this win and beyond proud of this team because as they have the whole year, they just keep showing up." This win not only improved Iowa's overall record but also secured at least .500 standing as they head toward the season finale.
The game kicked off with Iowa setting the tone early, with Affolter shining brightly; she ended the first quarter with 14 points, contributing to the team’s overall 25-18 lead. Iowa's offense was clicking, as they shot 52.5% from the field and made 10 of their 18 shots from beyond the arc.
Lucy Olsen also played a pivotal role, scoring 20 points and helping maintain the momentum as her shooting improved during the second quarter, where she scored 16 points to push Iowa’s lead to 49-32 by halftime. Affolter’s hot start and Olsen's contributions showed the depth of the Hawkeyes, with junior forward Hannah Stuelke also putting up 13 points.
On the other hand, Michigan struggled to keep pace, shooting 41% during the first half and compromising their chances with eight turnovers. Despite making adjustments, they were unable to fully close the gap established by Iowa's powerful first half.
The second half saw some push from Michigan as they managed to cut the lead to six points at one point, largely benefitting from Iowa committing 15 turnovers. Still, the Hawkeyes responded effectively, showcasing their ability to convert Michigan's errors to points—scoring 28 points off turnovers to Michigan's 17.
Throughout the game, Jensen emphasized the importance of relentless pursuit, saying, "That's what we've been doing regardless of the disappointments and the setbacks is they’re just relentless, and that's what it’s going to take tonight." Her coaching philosophy appeared to resonate deeply with the players, and the game was noted for being played with remarkable pace due to the referees allowing players greater freedom under the rim.
Now, Iowa looks forward to their final regular-season game against Wisconsin, where they aim to not only secure 10 wins within the conference but continue the positive energy generated from their latest performances.
The rivalry between Iowa and Michigan has continued to hold significance, especially as Iowa's win marks their fifth straight over the Wolverines, emphasizing not only their competitive spirit but also the growth Jensen has guided this season.
The Hawkeyes will need to maintain this intensity as they prepare for potential postseason play, and with the support of key players like Affolter and Olsen, they appear well-positioned heading forward.