The start of a new year always presents fresh challenges.
No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes faced off against their undefeated conference rival, No. 8 Maryland Terrapins, while also honoring former head coach Lisa Bluder and Iowa alumni.
Despite trailing by 24 points, the Hawkeyes managed to narrow the gap to just five points in the final minutes of the game. However, their comeback fell short as the Terrapins secured a 74-66 victory, handing Iowa their first home loss of the season.
Iowa struggled from the start as Maryland dominated the game in nearly every aspect. The Terrapins quickly gained a double-digit lead with sharp 3-point shooting, offensive rebounds, and capitalizing on Iowa’s turnovers.
The Hawkeyes, aside from Lucy Olsen’s 11 first-half points, struggled to score and committed numerous turnovers. By halftime, they were trailing 48-27 with 13 turnovers compared to Maryland’s five.
Entering the second half, Iowa needed patience and ball security. Their improved poise led to a stronger defense, holding the Terrapins to just 11 points in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Iowa made a late surge, narrowing Maryland’s lead to just five points before ultimately falling short.
Despite the loss, Coach Jan Jensen commended her team’s resilience and ability to respond to challenges, drawing on her own experiences of overcoming adversity.
Maryland sealed the victory with key free throws in the final moments of the game.
Looking ahead, Jensen sees her team’s ability to handle adversity as a building block for the remainder of the season.
The Hawkeyes’ bench played a significant role in their second-half resurgence, with freshmen players stepping up to make crucial plays.
Coach Brenda Frese of Maryland praised Iowa’s young depth and Coach Jensen’s leadership in developing the team.
Iowa will face Illinois on the road in their next game as they look to bounce back from the defeat.
