The Iowa women's basketball team is getting an unexpected 10-day break from competition right in the middle of its Big 10 Conference season.

After beating Purdue 87-81 in Iowa City Monday afternoon, the Hawkeyes were scheduled to play at Maryland Thursday and at Rutgers Sunday. Those road games have now been postponed.

Statements posted on the Iowa and Maryland women's basketball websites said this week's game was called off "out of caution" due to inauguration activities in Washington, D.C. The Hawkeyes were scheduled to fly into Baltimore-Washington International Airport Wednesday night, but chose not to travel because of safety concerns.

Unprecedented security measures were implemented to protect the U.S. Capitol, two weeks after a violent invasion by supporters of President Donald Trump resulted in the death of five people and forced lawmakers out of the chambers.

Officials at Iowa and Maryland said the Big Ten Conference supported the Hawkeyes' decision to postpone the game, the teams' only scheduled meeting this season. A make-up date has not been announced.

Iowa is 9-3 overall and 5-3 in league play. The seventh-ranked Terrapins are 11-1 and 7-0, respectively. Maryland's Head Coach is Brenda Frese, a Cedar Rapids native.

The Hawkeyes' weekend game at Rutgers was postponed Tuesday due COVID-19 issues involving the Scarlet Knights' program. Rutgers hasn't played since an outbreak hit the team on Jan. 3.

According to Iowa athletic officials, both institutions will work with the Big 10 office to identify potential rescheduling options later this season.

The Hawkeyes' next contest is now set for Jan. 28 against Northwestern at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The start time has yet to be announced.

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