Iowa Hawkeyes Defeat Michigan Wolverines in Big Ten Tournament Semifinal

Ava Heiden scores 16 points to lead No. 9 Iowa to 59-42 victory over No. 8 Michigan

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Michigan Wolverines 59-42 in the semifinals of the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday. Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points, while Hannah Stuelke and Chazadi Wright each added 13 points. The Hawkeyes pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Michigan 24-6 in the final period.

Why it matters

This win advances Iowa to the Big Ten Tournament championship game, where they will face the second-ranked and defending champion UCLA Bruins. The loss ends Michigan's strong season, as they set a program record for regular-season and conference victories, but fell short of reaching the tournament final.

The details

Iowa got off to a 9-0 start and led 13-4 after the first quarter, but Michigan rallied to take a 36-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Hawkeyes took control in the final period, going on a 15-2 run to pull away. Stuelke scored seven points in the first 2:23 of the fourth quarter to push Iowa ahead, and the Hawkeyes hit back-to-back 3-pointers to extend their lead.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 8, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The players

Ava Heiden

A key player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, scoring 16 points in the semifinal victory.

Hannah Stuelke

Scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Chazadi Wright

Contributed 13 points for the Iowa Hawkeyes in their semifinal win.

Mila Holloway

Led the Michigan Wolverines with 10 points, but shot just 8-for-26 from the field.

Olivia Olson

Also scored 10 points for the Michigan Wolverines in the losing effort.

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What’s next

The Iowa Hawkeyes will face the second-ranked and defending champion UCLA Bruins in the Big Ten Tournament championship game on Sunday.

The takeaway

Iowa's dominant fourth quarter performance propelled them to victory over Michigan, setting up a highly anticipated championship matchup against the powerhouse UCLA Bruins. This win showcases Iowa's ability to pull away from opponents and reach the pinnacle of the Big Ten Tournament.