In its first big test of the 2026-27 season, No. 10 Iowa women's basketball (2-1) suffered its first loss of the campaign on Sunday afternoon, falling, 91-79, to No. 2 UConn (2-1) at M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.
Despite a furious comeback attempt by Iowa, led by Chit-Chat Wright's 23 points on 8 for 12 shooting, the Hawkeyes couldn't overcome a career-high 39-point performance and 10 rebounds from Sarah Strong, who shot 15 for 26 and 5 for 10 from 3-point range.
Although the loss wasn't the outcome Iowa envisioned on Sunday, it still serves as a valuable measuring stick.
Here's how Iowa fans and media reacted to Sunday's outcome:
Just sloppy passing by Iowa over the last couple of minutes. Easily telegraphed and UConn is pouncing
on it.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 8, 2026
We need more to do that
— 𝓒𝓙 𝓐𝓵𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓭 (@HawksBestie) November 8, 2026
Iowa women are cooked.
— Ross (@RJHINDM) November 8, 2026
Officials. That is all.
— Back in Black (@HastHawk) November 8, 2026
UConn doesn’t foul I see
— 𝓒𝓙 𝓐𝓵𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓭 (@HawksBestie) November 8, 2026
If they would’ve known they weren’t ever going to receive a foul call, the Iowa women’s basketball team should’ve just put on a helmet and shoulder pads at this rate.
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) November 8, 2026
Last 5 seconds of the half for the Iowa women.... yikes.
— Mark Woodley (@MarkWoodleyTV) November 8, 2026
😂 truth https://t.co/zussJtIWhU
— 𝓒𝓙 𝓐𝓵𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓭 (@HawksBestie) November 8, 2026
Couple of made threes from Journey Houston is good to see.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 8, 2026
Hawkeyes definitely have the three-point shooting they need at the power forward spot.
Chit-Chat has been tremendous. She's up to 20 points.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 8, 2026
Ava Heiden gets a bucket to go and is bleeding a lot above her left eye after the play. Nothing crazy, just two players that ran into each other after the bucket. She’ll head to the bench to get checked out.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 8, 2026
Chit-Chat Wright is slow to get up after taking an illegal screen from Blanca Quinonez.
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) November 8, 2026
props to @IowaWBB putting up a fight vs a ticked off UConn team
— DJ (@djv2023) November 8, 2026
Iowa fought back from what could have been a humiliating blowout at the hands of Sarah Strong and UConn. If we keep Ava Heiden out of foul trouble and Dani Carnegie hits her threes, we can compete with almost any team in the country. Go Hawks. https://t.co/EfDHnT9sUn
— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) November 8, 2026
Our Hawks put up a hell of a fight!!! Proud of them regardless! https://t.co/LykgzsrJz0
— KerryA22 (@KAFevHawk22) November 8, 2026
Hawks fought hard. Good test to start the season. I ain’t worried ‘bout a thang. https://t.co/JiwNcvXLpQ
— OmaHawkeye (@OmaHawkeye03) November 8, 2026
Tough to win when a team shoots that well from 3 point line. We have to get better on offensive rebounds. Good fight to try and come back!
— Zoner (@zoner1155) November 8, 2026
It took the best player in women's college basketball to have her best game of her career to beat Iowa by 11
— Paul Nelson (@Paulie6969) November 8, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Fans, media react to Iowa women's basketball loss vs. UConn
