INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini women’s basketball 64–58 in the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Four Hawkeyes scored in double figures, led by sophomore Ava Heiden with 16 points, a career-high five blocks, four rebounds and three assists.
Iowa started strong with a 7–0 run and held Illinois to 27.8% shooting in the first quarter to build a 21–11 lead. The Hawkeyes extended their advantage to 37–23 at halftime after a 6–0 run in the second quarter, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Taylor Stremlow.
Heiden scored six points in the third quarter as Iowa dominated the paint and closed the period on a 7–0 run to lead 53–31.
Illinois rallied late, but senior Hannah Stuelke added to her 13-point performance in the fourth quarter to help Iowa hold on for the six-point victory.
