(Iowa City, IA) — Ava Heiden scored 28 points to lead #9 Iowa past Illinois 82-78 in a Big Ten women’s basketball game on Thursday night
Iowa scored the first 10 points of the game but Illinois answered with the next 9 points. The Illini would tie the game at 17-17 but Kylie Feurbach hit a three pointer at the very end of the quarter. The lead would change hands several times in the 2nd quarter — the Hawkeyes took a 35-30 advantage but a Destiny Jackson lay up and after a missed triple from Chazadi Wright, Cearah Parchment hit a three at the top of the key to tie the game at 35-35 at the break.
The game stayed tied at 56-56 going to the 4th quarter and after a Heiden basket, Illinois went on a 6-0 run to lead 64-58. With Iowa trailing by 5, Heiden converted two free throws and after an Illini miss, Heiden drove the lane and cut the lead to 69-68. Each team missed opportunities and after a missed Illini lay-up, Houston nailed an 18 footer to give Iowa a 70-69 lead with three minutes left.
The lead changed hands four times and two free throws from Wright gave Iowa an 75-73 lead with a minute left. After an Illinois timeout, Stuelke got a critical steal and the Hawkeyes took a timeout with 47 seconds left. Heiden came back in the game and drove the lane for a lay up and a 77-73 Hawkeye lead. The teams traded free throws and after Berry Wallace hit a jumper to cut the lead to 1, Wright was fouled and hit two clutch free throws to ice the game.
Heiden was 13 of 18 shooting to lead Iowa (23-5, 14-3) while Stuelke contributed 18 points and Taylor Stremlow added 11.
Illinois (19-9, 9-8) was led by Wallace with 21 points and Parchment with 20.
Iowa is tied with Michigan for 2nd place in the Big Ten with one game left in the regular season — the Hawkeyes visit 13-15 Wisconsin while the Wolverines host #14 Maryland. The conference tournament starts next Wednesday.
