IOWA CITY, Iowa-- The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team put up a valiant fight against the third-ranked UCLA Bruins, yet fell just short, losing 67-65 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 23, 2025. The match, touted as one of the most significant games of the season for Iowa, showcased remarkable talent and intense competition from both teams.
UCLA's Lauren Betts, standing 6-foot-7, demonstrated her dominance right from the opening tip, contributing significantly to her team’s early 8-4 lead. She scored six points within the first five minutes, making it clear to the Hawkeyes they would have to adjust their offensive strategy to counter her imposing presence. Iowa struggled initially to implement their game plan, opting for difficult jump shots instead of challenging Betts inside.
Despite the shaky start, the Hawkeyes began to find their rhythm as the first quarter progressed. Aaliyah Guyton sparked the team's comeback with a three-pointer from the top of the key, followed by another long-range basket from Lucy Olsen, narrowing UCLA's lead to 8-7. With under five minutes left, Taylor Stremlow made her presence felt, assisting on multiple plays and facilitating Iowa's comeback.
Entering halftime, the momentum seemed to shift as the Hawkeyes gained a 36-29 advantage, with the team effectively out-rebounding the Bruins 23-18 and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with 10 points compared to UCLA's four.
With the second half underway, Betts emerged again, scoring 12 points by the break and following the intermission with seven points within the first five minutes. While Iowa managed to keep pace initially, frustrations began to bubble over as the fouls mounted against Iowa. Despite the lack of whistles on UCLA during the game, the Bruins did eventually find themselves called for five fouls within two minutes during the fourth quarter.
Both teams faced challenges scoring, with only 13 combined points being scored during the first six minutes of the final quarter. UCLA's Kiki Rice, who had been largely contained throughout the contest, ignited her team with two important three-point baskets, pushing the Bruins to regain the lead at 62-60 with just 2:19 left.
With Iowa trailing by two with just 40 seconds on the clock, Kylie Feuerbach showcased her grit, drawing a foul on Rice, who was disqualified from the game for her fifth foul. This added to the tension as Iowa scrambled for points. With the ball back and down three, Olson made it to the line after being fouled on a three-point shot with just 6.8 seconds remaining, converting all three attempts to tie the game.
Unfortunately for Iowa, UCLA responded with clutch free-throw shooting, sealing their win when Addison O'Grady's three-point attempt fell short just before the buzzer sounded.
This defeat was particularly poignant as the Hawkeyes had recently enjoyed success, winning six of their last seven contests prior to the loss against Ohio State. Coach Jan Jensen reflected on the high stakes of the game, emphasizing it was pivotal for Iowa as they seek to bolster their NCAA tournament chances.
Caitlin Clark, the standout guard for Iowa, had earlier rallied the fans with spirited words before tipoff, urging them to make Carver-Hawkeye Arena electric during the encounter. “Get Carver LOUD for the girls today!!!!! Let’s go @IowaWBB,” she posted on X, motivating the crowd and team alike.
Looking forward, the Hawkeyes will aim to bounce back against Michigan, hoping to secure their final true road win to solidify their positioning for the NCAA tournament. With this close loss still fresh, their resolve will surely be tested as they prepare for the upcoming game.
Though the Bruins have firmly established themselves at the top with only one loss this season to USC earlier this month, the grit and determination shown by Iowa against such formidable opposition signals their preparedness for March Madness.