Hawkeyes Move Past Illinois

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - 2-Seed Iowa (25-5, 15-3) defeated 10-Seed Illinois (21-11, 9-9) in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, 64-58.  

Four different Hawkeyes scored in double figures on the night. Sophomore Ava Heiden led the night with 16 points, a career-high five blocks, four rebounds and three assists.   

The Hawkeyes came out to a strong 7-0 run to start the game. Iowa had five different players score in the opening frame. The Illini were held to 27.8 percent shooting through the first quarter, with just 11 points. Five points were collected on just two forced turnovers, giving Iowa the lead, 21-11 as the first quarter closed.   

Sophomore Taylor Stremlow drained a basket beyond the arc to get the second quarter rolling. Both teams went basket-for-basket for the first four minutes, before the Hawkeyes pulled away on a 6-0 run. The Hawkeyes headed to the locker room with a 37-23 lead.   

Heiden led the third quarter with six points going 3-for-3 and securing her fourth block of the day. The Hawkeyes scored 12 of their 16 quarter points in the paint. Iowa left Illinois scoreless for the last three minutes going on a 7-0 run, closing out the quarter up, 53-31.  

Iowa held it down in the fourth quarter. Senior Hannah Stuelke added to her 13-point day going 2-for-3 in the paint, pulling down two rebounds as well. The Illini fought back within the last three minutes but the Hawkeyes were able to hold on to a 64-58 victory.   

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points, a career-high five blocks, four rebounds, and three assists.
- Over the last six games, Heiden is 60-of-80 from the floor. (75 percent)
- Heiden has reached double figures in 18 straight games and against all 17 Big Ten opponents played this season.
- Heiden has netted double figures in three consecutive Big Ten Tournament games dating back to last year.
- Taylor Stremlow filled the stat sheet with nine points, six assists, and four rebounds.
- Over the last three games, Stremlow has 26 assists to three turnovers.
- Stremlow has dished out five or more assists 11 times this season. 
- Stremlow made her sixth consecutive start and 14th of the year. 
- The Hawkeyes are 14-0 in such games when Stremlow is in the starting lineup this season.  
- Chit-Chat Wright added 12 points (5-8 FG), four assists, and five rebounds.
- Journey Houston grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and four points.
- Hannah Stuelke recorded 13 points and five rebounds in her return to Iowa’s starting lineup. 
- Kylie Feuerbach registered 10 points and two rebounds.
- Feuerbach’s 10 points are a career-high in Big Ten Tournament play.

TEAM NOTES
- Iowa advanced to the Semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the sixth time in the last eight seasons.
- The Hawkeyes have won 25+ games 12 times in program history and in three out of the last four years.
- Iowa improved to 5-0 all-time against the Illini in the Big Ten Tournament.
- March 6, 2014, was the last meeting between the two programs in the conference tourney.
- Iowa has won 10 out of the last 12 meetings with Illinois.
- Entering today’s game, the Illini hit nine consecutive 3-pointers against Iowa on Feb. 26, 2026.
- Iowa held the Illini to 4-of-14 from 3-point range today.
- Iowa is 19-0 when leading at halftime this season.
- Jensen’s Big Ten Tournament record improved to 3-1 in her first two seasons.
- Iowa led the game for 39:00.

UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes will face the winner of 3-Seed Michigan or 11-Seed Oregon in the Semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (CT) inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.