Iowa Women's Basketball Loses Third Straight Game to Minnesota

Hawkeyes struggle to contain Gophers' hot shooting in 91-85 defeat

Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:07pm

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The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team dropped their third consecutive game, falling 91-85 to the Minnesota Gophers. Despite a strong start, the Hawkeyes were unable to overcome Minnesota's hot shooting performance, as the Gophers drained several three-pointers to build a double-digit lead that Iowa could not overcome.

Why it matters

The loss is a setback for the Hawkeyes, who were looking to bounce back after two straight defeats. Iowa will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Washington Huskies, another ranked opponent, in their next game.

The details

Iowa got off to a hot start, draining their first six shots to take an early 25-24 lead after the first quarter. However, Minnesota's Mara Braun and Grace Grocholski caught fire from three-point range, helping the Gophers build a 49-39 halftime advantage. Minnesota continued their strong play in the second half, opening up a 20-point lead that Iowa was unable to overcome despite a late push.

  • The game was played on February 6, 2026.
  • Iowa has now lost three straight games.

The players

Addie Deal

An Iowa player who struggled in the team's previous two games but started strong, draining her first three-pointer of the evening.

Ava Heiden

A sophomore forward for Iowa who led the team with 24 points and 4 rebounds.

Mara Braun

A Minnesota player who hit several key three-pointers to help the Gophers build their lead.

Grace Grocholski

Another Minnesota player who contributed to the team's strong three-point shooting performance.

Amaya Battle

The true catalyst for Minnesota, nearly recording a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.

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What’s next

Iowa will have six days off before hosting the No. 24 Washington Huskies, another ranked opponent, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The takeaway

This loss is a setback for the Hawkeyes, who will need to regroup quickly to bounce back against Washington and get their season back on track. The team's struggles to contain Minnesota's hot shooting and inability to overcome the Gophers' double-digit lead are areas they will need to address moving forward.