Two starters for the Iowa women’s basketball team announced they will take advantage of their COVID year and return next season. Gabbie Marshall has started all 27 games and averaged four and a half points per game and Kate Martin averages seven points per game and is second on the team in assists.

Marshall says as the season progressed it became clear to her that she wanted to return.

Marshall calls Martin the emotional leader of the Hawkeyes.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder was hoping both players would decide to return.

The sixth ranked Hawkeyes visit number seven Maryland Tuesday night. Senior forward McKenna Warnock will not take advantage of her extra year. She has applied to dental school.