Northwestern University Athletics
Monday, January 5
Evanston, Ill.
7:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
6-9,0-4Big Ten
58
vs
67
Iowa
13-2,4-0Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Iowa
13
19
18
17
67
Northwestern
9
20
15
14
58
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Sullivan Leads ’Cats In 67-58 Home Setback To No. 14 Iowa
1/5/2026 10:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior forward finishes with game-high 28 points
EVANSTON, Ill. (January 5, 2026) — Northwestern battled No. 14 Iowa for all 40 minutes, dropping a 67-58 decision to the visiting Hawkeyes this evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"Hard-fought game; we came to play," head coach Joe McKeown said. "It was a great game, just love the fight. To hold Iowa in the 60s was our goal, but they're a great team."
Grace Sullivan recorded a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds and four steals as the Wildcats (6-9, 0-4 Big Ten) engaged in a back-and-forth battle with the Hawkeyes (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten).
"Grace is going to face some of the best defenses in the country," McKeown said. "We saw that tonight. She's going to be the key to their whole game plan."
Gallery: (1-5-2026) Women's Basketball vs. Iowa
Casey Harter joined Sullivan in double figures, chipping in 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Caroline Lau scored eight points and dished out a team-high five assists.
"We're all ready to win," Sullivan said. "We're showing it in practice, and it translated to the game today."
In a stellar defensive showing, Northwestern forced Iowa into 20 turnovers — the Hawkeyes' most in a Big Ten game since Feb. 17, 2025 against Ohio State.
"Since last game, we really took it upon ourselves to focus on defense and buy in, especially during practice," Sullivan said. "Props to our scout team, they really prepared us to defend these guys."
While Iowa raced out to an early 6-0 advantage, Northwestern held the Hawkeyes scoreless for more than four minutes and took an 8-6 lead with 4:40 remaining in the opening quarter. At the quarter's conclusion, Iowa held a 13-9 edge.
The 'Cats held the visitors to their lowest scoring first quarter of conference play.
Midway through the second quarter, Sullivan and Lau picked up back-to-back buckets to give Northwestern a 21-17 advantage. Iowa looked to seize momentum heading into the locker room, rattling off the frame's final six points to take a 32-29 lead.
Northwestern forced Iowa into 11 first-half turnovers and limited the Hawkeyes to just one make in five attempts from three-point range.
The defensive battle persisted in the third quarter, with both teams exchanging momentum swings. Off a last-second jumper, Iowa carried a 50-44 lead into the final frame.
While the Hawkeyes stretched the lead out to 10 points with less than two minutes to play, treys from Harter and Lau, respectively, helped the hosts cut the lead to 62-58.
Ultimately, Iowa held on despite a valiant charge in the closing moments by the Wildcats.
"We had an opportunity tonight," McKeown said. "We've had one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten. You have to get beyond the league and just focus on yourself rather than the opponent."
Northwestern returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 8 at Minnesota. Tip-off from Williams Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
"Hard-fought game; we came to play," head coach Joe McKeown said. "It was a great game, just love the fight. To hold Iowa in the 60s was our goal, but they're a great team."
Grace Sullivan recorded a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds and four steals as the Wildcats (6-9, 0-4 Big Ten) engaged in a back-and-forth battle with the Hawkeyes (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten).
"Grace is going to face some of the best defenses in the country," McKeown said. "We saw that tonight. She's going to be the key to their whole game plan."
Casey Harter joined Sullivan in double figures, chipping in 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Caroline Lau scored eight points and dished out a team-high five assists.
"We're all ready to win," Sullivan said. "We're showing it in practice, and it translated to the game today."
In a stellar defensive showing, Northwestern forced Iowa into 20 turnovers — the Hawkeyes' most in a Big Ten game since Feb. 17, 2025 against Ohio State.
"Since last game, we really took it upon ourselves to focus on defense and buy in, especially during practice," Sullivan said. "Props to our scout team, they really prepared us to defend these guys."
While Iowa raced out to an early 6-0 advantage, Northwestern held the Hawkeyes scoreless for more than four minutes and took an 8-6 lead with 4:40 remaining in the opening quarter. At the quarter's conclusion, Iowa held a 13-9 edge.
The 'Cats held the visitors to their lowest scoring first quarter of conference play.
Midway through the second quarter, Sullivan and Lau picked up back-to-back buckets to give Northwestern a 21-17 advantage. Iowa looked to seize momentum heading into the locker room, rattling off the frame's final six points to take a 32-29 lead.
Northwestern forced Iowa into 11 first-half turnovers and limited the Hawkeyes to just one make in five attempts from three-point range.
The defensive battle persisted in the third quarter, with both teams exchanging momentum swings. Off a last-second jumper, Iowa carried a 50-44 lead into the final frame.
While the Hawkeyes stretched the lead out to 10 points with less than two minutes to play, treys from Harter and Lau, respectively, helped the hosts cut the lead to 62-58.
Ultimately, Iowa held on despite a valiant charge in the closing moments by the Wildcats.
"We had an opportunity tonight," McKeown said. "We've had one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten. You have to get beyond the league and just focus on yourself rather than the opponent."
Northwestern returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 8 at Minnesota. Tip-off from Williams Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
Iowa
NU
FG%
.440
.362
3FG%
.300
.238
FT%
.690
.786
RB
39
30
TO
20
16
STL
9
9
Game Leaders
Pts
28
FGM
11
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
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