No. 19 Iowa pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the early season on Nov. 20, stunning seventh-ranked Baylor with a 57-52 victory at the WBCA Showcase in Orlando. The Hawkeyes stayed perfect at 5-0 while holding the Bears scoreless down the stretch. Now Iowa faces Miami in their next tournament test.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with 18 points and 11 rebounds in the upset win
- Baylor’s Taliah Scott scored 32 points but went silent in the final stretch
- Iowa trailed entering the fourth quarter but outscored Baylor 16-13 in the final period
- The Hawkeyes played without 3 starters for stretches due to various injuries
- Iowa’s perfect start puts them in position for a top-5 NCAA tournament seed
How Iowa Pulled Off The Upset
Iowa’s defense absolutely stifled Baylor down the stretch when it mattered most. The Bears scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter and missed their final 10 shots of the game. That defensive intensity was the difference.
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Ava Heiden was relentless in the second half for the Hawkeyes. She made 7 of 14 shots overall and grabbed boards when Iowa needed them most. Taylor Stremlow added 12 points, and Hannah Stuelke contributed 10 points and 8 rebounds despite an ankle injury.
Baylor’s Taliah Scott put on a show offensively. She scored 32 points and hit 6 three-pointers. She even scored 12 consecutive points to put Baylor ahead in the fourth quarter. But Scott went completely cold when it counted, missing her final five shots. No other Bear reached double figures in scoring.
The Adversity Iowa Overcame
This wasn’t a perfect performance for Iowa. Coach Jan Jensen’s team had to navigate some serious injury scares. Hannah Stuelke twisted an ankle in the first half but returned. Chazadi Wright left the game in the third quarter after hitting her head, appearing to suffer a concussion. Kylie Feuerbach fouled out with nearly eight minutes remaining.
Despite playing without three starters for stretches, Iowa found a way to win. That’s the mark of a championship-level team. Playing shorthanded and still beating a top-10 opponent shows real character and depth.
The injury concerns heading into the Miami game on Nov. 22 were worth monitoring.
Statistical Breakdown
| Category | Iowa | Baylor |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 57 | 52 |
| FG % | 34.4% (21-61) |
28.8% (17-59) |
| 3-Point % | 35.7% (5-14) |
25.0% (8-32) |
| Free Throws | 62.5% (10-16) |
58.8% (10-17) |
| Top Scorer | Ava Heiden 18 points |
Taliah Scott 32 points |
What Iowa Must Do Next to Keep Rolling
The Hawkeyes need to establish consistency. They won a statement game, but now comes the harder part: maintaining that level. Plus, Miami doesn’t care about Iowa’s upset over Baylor.
Health matters enormously moving forward. Getting Chazadi Wright, Hannah Stuelke, and Kylie Feuerbach fully healthy remains the priority. Iowa showed they can win shorthanded, but that’s not sustainable through a long season.
Coach Jan Jensen deserves credit for the composure. This was her biggest win in her second year as head coach. The team responded to adversity without panicking. That’s coachability. That’s culture.
Can Iowa Stay Undefeated This Season?
Iowa is trending toward tournament-level basketball. A 5-0 record with a signature win over Baylor puts the Hawkeyes in rare air. They’re playing in Orlando at one of the most competitive tournaments of the year. The level of competition is elite.
But here’s what matters: Iowa won without being perfect. They shot just 34.4% from the field. Their shooting wasn’t great. Baylor actually outshot them from the arc. Iowa won on defense and rebounding.
That formula works. Defense travels. Rebounding matters everywhere. If Iowa can maintain that intensity and get healthy, an undefeated regular season isn’t crazy to consider.
Sources
- ESPN – Official game recap and box score
- USA Today Sports – Game analysis and highlights
- SI.com – Coach Jensen and team commentary
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.