Iowa women's basketball: Hawkeyes' losing streak continues with OT loss to Nebraska

Iowa women’s basketball: Hawkeyes’ losing streak continues with OT loss to Nebraska

Posted by author January 17, 2025 Basketball

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IOWA CITY — Iowa women’s basketball didn’t care how it happened, offensive outburst or defensive slog, only that the night ended with the positive vibes that have been so elusive. Thursday night may not have been a must-win by the mathematical definition, but it sure was by the emotional one.

The Hawkeyes are still searching for light at the end of the tunnel.

Despite owning a double-digit fourth-quarter lead with Carver-Hawkeye Arena bumping, Iowa let Nebraska get a foot in the door and barge through it in overtime. The aftermath was a dismal 87-84 Iowa loss that continues this recently unprecedented run of futility. The Hawkeyes have lost four straight for the first time since 2016 and have dropped three consecutive home games for the first time since 2013.

While Iowa seemed ready to reach the finish line drama-free, up 11 with 6:05 to go, nothing has come easy of late for Jan Jensen’s bunch. A 10-0 Nebraska run ensued over the next two minutes to whittle Iowa’s cushion down to a single point. Was another painful home moment really brewing?

It would require extra time to find out. Although the Cornhuskers never fully lurched ahead down the stretch in regulation, Iowa’s 5-for-12 fourth-quarter showing at the free-throw line left the door open for a Nebraska swipe. It nearly did so before overtime after Britt Prince tied it on a trey with 50 seconds left, then again on two free throws with two seconds to go. An Aaliyah Guyton runner at the horn nearly gave Iowa a highlight walkoff win.

The extra period was equally unkind. Nebraska constructed an 85-78 advantage without needing a field goal thanks to eight free throws Iowa couldn’t match. The Hawkeyes didn’t hit from the field in overtime until 1:48 remained, much too late to make a difference.

Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 16 points and got double-digit assistance from Lucy Olsen (14), Guyton (14), Kylie Feuerbach, Addi O’Grady and Sydney Affolter (10 points, 13 rebounds). But none of the production arrived when Iowa needed it most.

Reaching intermission without a hefty deficit at least offered promise, even if Iowa took a rather circuitous route. The Hawkeyes led by as many as seven and trailed by as many as 10 in a first half where Iowa veered off course before finding its way back.

A 9-2 push to end the half offset Nebraska’s early downtown success, which saw the Cornhuskers drain eight of their first 17 3-point shots but sport only a 38-37 halftime lead. That left Iowa’s door open.

The Hawkeyes couldn’t take advantage at that point or any other.

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.