Thrilling Showdown: Iowa vs. Illinois
In a thrilling showdown on Thursday night, the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes edged past Illinois with a close 82-78 victory, thanks in large part to Ava Heiden’s impressive performance. Heiden, who achieved her career-high by scoring 28 points, has been on a scoring spree, averaging 25 points per game over her last four outings. She showcased remarkable efficiency, hitting 13 of her 18 shots from the field.
Iowa’s Dominance and Game Highlights
This victory marks Iowa’s fifth straight win and extends their remarkable home dominance over Illinois, now stretched to 13 consecutive victories. The Hawkeyes, boasting a record of 23-5 overall and 14-3 in Big Ten play, faced a fierce challenge from the Illini, who were looking to extend their winning streak to four games.
Despite being in control for portions of the game and even leading 69-64 with just over five minutes remaining, Illinois could not hold on after a strong Iowa rally. The Illini were particularly formidable from beyond the arc, hitting all eight of their 3-point attempts in the second half. However, they fell short in the final moments, suffering an offensive foul that thwarted their chance to tie the game at 81-78 with just four seconds left.
Key Players and Contributions
Hannah Stuelke played a crucial role for Iowa as well, contributing 18 points, while Taylor Stremlow recorded a career-high 11 assists along with 11 points. For Illinois, the standout was Berry Wallace, who led the team with 21 points. Teammates Cearah Parchment and Jasmine Brown-Hagger added 20 and 15 points respectively, with Parchment also grabbing 12 rebounds. Aaliyah Guyton, a former Iowa player who transferred, chipped in 11 points.
Game Progression
The game began competitively, tied at 35 at halftime. Iowa initially surged ahead with a 10-0 run following a shaky start by the Illini, who missed their first eight shots. Illinois countered with an 11-2 run and held a brief lead before the Hawkeyes strung together a decisive series of plays leading into the final quarter.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Illinois will seek to regroup as they prepare to host Minnesota on Sunday, while Iowa aims to maintain their momentum on the road against Wisconsin the same day.
