nebraska vs iowa — Heiden's 27 lifts Iowa women; men's squad faces Tuesday test
In a busy stretch for both programs, Iowa's women's team delivered a decisive 80-67 win over Nebraska on Monday afternoon (ET), while the men's squad heads into a Big Ten home test on Tuesday (ET) seeking a rebound from consecutive setbacks. The weekend's results and the looming men's matchup set the tone for how each side of the Hawkeye program will be measured late in the season.
Iowa women dominate in Lincoln: Heiden posts historic double-double
The No. 13 Hawkeyes closed Monday with a comfortable 80-67 victory over Nebraska, marking another milestone for a program trending upward. Sophomore Ava Heiden led the charge with a 27-point, 11-rebound performance on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting night, registering her sixth career double-double and tying her career high in points. Heiden has now reached double figures in 13 straight games and has been a consistent force against conference opponents.
Iowa opened the contest with a 10-0 run and shot a blistering clip in the opening period, building a 25-13 advantage. The Hawkeyes stretched the lead to 45-27 by halftime, fueled by opportunistic defense that forced 18 turnovers and turned those miscues into 27 points. Sophomore Taylor Stremlow added a career-high 17 points and hit three 3-pointers, while Chit-Chat Wright contributed 14 points and seven assists. Role contributors, including Journey Houston and Hannah Stuelke, supplied timely offense and defensive energy in a balanced team effort.
That victory also pushed the women's program to another 20-win season under its current coach, who has now reached that plateau in consecutive seasons — a notable achievement in program history. The teamwork and depth on display in Lincoln gave the Hawkeyes a statement win and offered momentum as they press through the conference slate.
Men's matchup set for Tuesday (ET): Hawkeyes need a response
The men's team will attempt to regroup at home on Tuesday (ET) after a 78-57 loss to a conference rival left doubts about recent form. The Hawkeyes have dropped back-to-back games after a six-game winning streak and face a Nebraska squad coming off a 68-49 victory that renewed that program's confidence.
For the Hawkeyes, the questions are straightforward: can they right the ship in time, and will they show the kind of effort and execution missing in their most recent outings? Iowa has yet to notch a win over a ranked opponent this season, which places extra emphasis on strong performances down the stretch. A turnaround against Nebraska would be an immediate tonic for morale and postseason positioning, but it will require better two-way play and a more consistent offensive identity than seen in their last two contests.
Fans should expect a physical Big Ten test. Both teams will jockey for position in the conference picture, and the outcome will carry weight as postseason seeding conversations begin to take shape.
What to watch: trends, matchups and implications
On the women's side, Iowa's interior dominance and turnover creation were decisive. Heiden's presence in the paint — efficient scoring plus rebounding — created spacing and opened perimeter opportunities for Stremlow and others. If Iowa sustains that balance, the Hawkeyes will remain a top threat in the conference.
For the men, the immediate concerns are ball security and consistent scoring. Turning forced turnovers into transition points and tightening the defensive rotations will be keys to snapping the skid. How the coaching staff adjusts rotations and whether younger players can provide a spark could determine if Iowa reclaims its earlier momentum.
Monday's women's result sent a clear message about depth and readiness; Tuesday's men's game will offer an early indicator of resilience for the rest of the season. Expect both teams to be measured closely over the coming week as Big Ten play intensifies.
