Down by as many as 18 points in the first half, Iowa (18-3 overall, 9-1 Big Ten) cut the deficit to 52-49 when Journey Houston scored on a behind-the-back transition feed from Taylor Stremlow at the 5:30 mark of the third period.
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum explains why he felt the need to create energy for the Hawkeyes during the first half of Wednesday night’s victory of USC.
See photos as the Hawkeyes hosted the Trojans for a Big Ten conference men’s basketball game.
The Hawkeyes trailed by 11 before reliquishing a 17-point lead in the second half. Guards Bennett Stirtz and Tavion Banks led the way with 20 points each.
The Hawkeyes (18-2 overall, 9-0 Big Ten) have been steady climbers in the Associated Press poll; they are up to No. 8 this week, their highest since the final 2024 ballot.
Addie Deal will make her debut in the Iowa starting lineup Thursday, due to the season-ending knee injury to senior Taylor McCabe. Deal has averaged 12.0 points per game in the last four games, including a 20-point output in Sunday’s 91-70 win over Ohio State.
Iowa men’s basketball guard Isaia Howard followed Ben McCollum to Iowa from Drake. Now in his first season in the Big Ten, the sophomore is reaching heights he didn’t expect after committing to Drake two years ago.
Addie Deal will join Iowa’s starting lineup Thursday at USC. She’ll take the place of Taylor McCabe, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday against Ohio State
The Hawkeyes are back from an eight-day break to face its first of three West Coast teams.
Women’s basketball: One of the most accurate long-distance shooters in program history, McCabe was injured in the Hawkeyes’ win over Ohio State on Sunday. She’ll miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
Women’s basketball: Adversity struck early for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but the response was inspired in a 91-70 rout of Ohio State.
Photos from the Ohio State vs. Iowa women’s basketball at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
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