No. 10 Iowa women’s basketball (18-5, 9-3 Big Ten) suffers its third Big Ten loss in a row and first of the year at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday night, with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (18-6, 6-6 Big Ten) beating the Hawkeyes by a 91-85 score.
Leading the Hawkeyes in scoring was Ava Hieden, with 24 points on 9-for-13 from the floor and 6-for-8 from the stripe, to go along with her 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Chit-Chat Wright also finished with a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Journey Houston’s 15 points and 4 boards.
For Minnesota, the Golden Gophers shot 32-for-62 from the field, an almost unreal 10-for-14 from 3-point range, and 17-for-24 from the free-throw line. While Iowa made a furious comeback attempt, it was the Gophers clutch free throws that thwarted the Hawkeyes.
The loss is not only Iowa’s first defeat against Minnesota in Iowa City since Jan. 25, 2007, but also places the Hawkeyes in danger of potentially slipping out of hosting a regional in the NCAA Tournament.
Fortunately for the Hawkeyes, they will have six days off until Washington comes to town on Feb. 11, a game trending towards a critical one for the program.
Final: Minnesota 91, Iowa 85
Iowa’s late comeback attempt falls short as the Hawkeyes drop their third consecutive conference game with a 91-85 loss to Minnesota.
0:13.8 4th Quarter: Minnesota 90, Iowa 85
Minnesota Timeout.
McCabe’s 3-pointer cuts the deficit to just five points with 13.8 seconds remaining.
0:48 4th Quarter: Minnesota 88, Iowa 80
Iowa Timeout.
A 3-pointer by Wright has trimmed the deficit to just 8 points, so free throws will be given the rest of the way for Minnesota to extend the game for the Hawkeyes in hopes of making a miraculous comeback.
4:06 4th Quarter: Minnesota 81, Iowa 67
Addie Deal has picked up her fifth foul and fouled out of this game.
4:33 4th Quarter: Minnesota 81, Iowa 67
Media Timeout.
A few very controversial calls by the officials have kept the Hawkeyes from climbing closer to the Golden Gophers, as Iowa is making a late charge down by 14.
7:50 4th Quarter: Minnesota 77, Iowa 57
Iowa Timeout.
Jan Jensen calls a timeout as Iowa is now playing sloppy basketball and Minnesota is feasting on the desperation from the Hawkeyes.
This game is looking very ugly for the Hawkeyes, especially with the Golden Gophers burning clock with every possession.
End of 3rd Quarter: Minnesota 72, Iowa 55
Iowa is looking dead in the water right now, as the Hawkeyes offense is simply not acting like itself and forcing shots out of necessity.
Unless Iowa makes a miraculous comeback in the final 10 minutes, Iowa will suffer its third straight loss of the season and its first at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
2:34 3rd Quarter: Minnesota 64, Iowa 53
Media Timeout.
Iowa is trying anything defensively right now to slow the Minnesota offense, while they seem to be trying way too much on offense.
This Hawkeyes team is struggling immensely right now. Minnesota cannot seem to miss from deep, where they are 8-for-10 on the night.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena faithful are stunned.
Halftime: Minnesota 49, Iowa 39
At halftime, Iowa trails Minnesota by 10 points after the Golden Gophers simply could not miss from the field. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes offense has been held in check by the Golden Gophers defensive efforts.
As a team, Iowa has shot 14-for-29 from the field, 4-for-9 from 3-point territory, and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, while Minnesota has shot 20-for-34 from the floor, 6-for-7 from deep, and 3-for-5 from the stripe.
Leading the Hawkeyes in scoring is Ava Heiden with 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.
Iowa will need to wake up offensively and guard Minnesota’s perimeter shooters much more effectively in the second half if they want to come out victorious.
2:06 2nd Quarter: Minnesota 44, Iowa 34
The Minnesota appeal is successful. Golden Gophers possession.
2:06 2nd Quarter: Minnesota 44, Iowa 34
Minnesota timeout to appeal an out-of-bounds call that was originally called Iowa possession.
2:06 2nd Quarter: Minnesota 44, Iowa 34
Following the timeout, Iowa responds with much better defense against Minnesota, along with some scoring by Hannah Stuelke at the charity stripe.
Despite the Hawkeyes’ improved defense, their offense has been stuck in the mud since their first-quarter burst.
5:43 2nd Quarter: Minnesota 37, Iowa 30
Iowa Timeout.
Minnesota charges out to a stellar start to begin the second quarter, aided by a 13-5 scoring advantage in the frame.
End of 1st Quarter: Iowa 25, Minnesota 24
While the Hawkeyes have carried the pace of this game through the opening quarter, the Golden Gophers have done a great job hanging around within striking distance.
At the end of the first quarter, Ava Heiden leads the team with 9 points on 3-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the line.
4:50 1st Quarter: Iowa 14, Minnesota 9
Media Timeout.
Iowa is off to a fast start as the Hawkeyes have gotten scoring from everyone on the floor, with Heiden leading the team in scoring so far with 5 points on 2-for-2 from the field and 1-for-1 from the free-throw line.
Minnesota has gotten quality looks, but Iowa’s defense has kept them off the board for the most part.
Addie Deal For Three
Hawkeyes Starting Five
Good as Gold
Iowa Hawkeyes Injury Report
Per the injury report, sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez will be missing her 17th straight game with a back ailment. Rodrqiguez is joined by senior forward Jada Gyamfi, who is continuing her rehab from a December knee operation.
Obviously, senior guard Taylor McCabe’s torn left ACL lands her in the “out for season” category, which will be a constant moving forward.
The Golden Gophers will be without senior forward Tracey Bershers tonight, as she is the lone Golden Gopher listed as out. Bershers has played just two games this season, averaging 2.0 points per game on 33.3% shooting.
How to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Minnesota
Watch Iowa vs. Minnesota
TV: Big Ten Network
Tipoff Time: 6 p.m. CT
Iowa returns home and will battle Minnesota from inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Fans will hear one of their favorite voices on the call. Former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder (color) will join Jason Ross Jr. (play-by-play) on the Big Ten Network.
Where to stream Iowa women’s basketball vs. Minnesota
Iowa fans can stream the Hawkeyes’ date against Minnesota on Fubo, which offers a free trial to first-time subscribers.
Iowa women’s basketball schedule
All times CT
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball’s late comeback bid falls short vs. Minnesota
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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