Feb. 26, 2026Updated Feb. 27, 2026, 2:15 a.m. CT
No. 9 Iowa women’s basketball (23-5, 14-3 Big Ten) closes out its Big Ten regular-season home slate on Thursday night with a hard-fought 82-78 win over Illinois (19-9, 9-8 Big Ten) from another raucous crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Continuing the sensational play that earned her the Big Ten Player of the Week, Naismith Trophy Player of the Week, Associated Press (AP) National Player of the Week, and USBWA National Player of the Week honors, sophomore center Ava Heiden recorded a new career-high performance for the Hawkeyes against the Fighting Illini.
On the night, the 6-foot-4 native of Sherwood, Ore., scored 28 points on 13-for-18 from the floor and 2-for2 at the free-throw line, to go along with four rebounds, one assist, and one block in 23 minutes of play for her fourth consecutive contest with at least 21 points. Equally as impressive, 20 of Heiden’s 28 points came in the third and fourth quarters of the game.
Sophomore Taylor Stremlow also recorded her first career double-double with 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting and 1-for-1 at the charity stripe, to go with 11 assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 34 minutes.
Meanwhile, Illinois was on fire from 3-point territory, as the Fighting Illini shot 11-for-19 from beyond the arc on the night. Despite the loss, sophomore forward Barry Wallace (21 points) and freshman forward Cearah Parchment (20 points) powered the Illinois offense through a combined 16-for-32 shooting and 5-for-11 from deep.
With the win, the Hawkeyes have now officially secured a double-bye in the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, where they will either be the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, depending on the result of their final game of the season on March 1.
Final: Iowa 82, Illinois 78
IN HEAVEN, THERE IS NO BEER!
In a last gasp effort by the Fighting Illini, senior Kylie Fuererbach puts herself into position to draw an offensive foul with 4.7 seconds remaining.
After being fouled moments later, Stuelke would make the front half of her two free throws and effectively seal the deal for the Hawkeyes.
HAWKEYES WIN!!!
23.6 4th Quarter: Iowa 77, Illinois 73
Illinois Timeout.
Immediately after entering the game, Stuelke finds Heiden on a subtle slip to the basket to give her a new career-high 28 points and the Hawkeyes a four-point lead.
0:47.5 4th Quarter: Iowa 75, Illinois 73
Iowa Timeout.
Stuelke picks off a pass by Guyton, and Iowa calls a timeout quickly.
0:56 4th Quarter: Iowa 75, Illinois 73
Illinois Timeout.
The Fighting Illini call a timeout to draw up a play with the Hawkeyes up by two points late.
Call is reversed
After review, the call is overturned, and Iowa gains possession.
Iowa has appealed an out-of-bounds ruling with 3:51 remaining
Call on the court is ruled off Stremlow, but the replay appears to say otherwise.
4:08 4th Quarter: Illinois 69, Iowa 68
Illinois timeout.
The Fighting Illini call a timeout as the Hawkeyes have cut the deficit to just one point.
Illinois has shot a blazing hot 10-for-18 from beyond the arc, which has fueled their offense tonight.
Ava Heiden has 26 points so far, which is two points shy of a career-high.
7:45 4th Quarter: Illinois 64, Iowa 58
Iowa Timeout.
Illinois has opened the fourth quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to force a timeout by Iowa.
Parchment has 20 points so far and is leading the Fighting Illini to a potential monumental upset.
End of 3rd Quarter: Illinois 56, Iowa 56
After an energetic third quarter of play, both Iowa and Illinois are tied at 56. Judging from the first three quarters, the fourth quarter should be extremely entertaining.
Heiden leads the Hawkeyes in scoring with 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
4:31 3rd Quarter: Illinois 50, Iowa 45
Media Timeout.
Back-and-forth action between Iowa and Illinois as both teams are answering back on offense quickly. However, the Fighting Illini are carrying the pace right now.
Halftime: Iowa 35, Illinois 35
Iowa and Illinois enter halftime tied at 35 after Cearah Parchment nailed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to even the score.
Iowa shot 15-for-26 from the floor, 2-for-5 from 3-point land, and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line, with Hannah Stuelke’s nine points on 4-for-7 shooting leading the way for the Hawkeyes.
Turnovers have been a problem so far for Iowa, as the Fighting Illini have converted 15 points off the Hawkeyes’ 10 turnovers.
4:42 2nd Quarter: Iowa 30, Illinois 28
Media timeout.
After former Hawkeye Aaliyah Guyton’s deep 3-pointer gave Illinois the lead, Taylor Stremlow made a basket with a foul. Stremlow will be at the line to potentially complete a three-point play after the media break.
End of 1st Quarter: Iowa 20, Illinois 17
Kylie Fuereback drains a 3-pointer in the corner to give the Hawkeyes a three-point lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Ava Heiden still leads Iowa in scoring so far with eight points on 4-for-4 from the field.
Hannah Stuelke has returned
After a brief trip to the locker room with trainers, senior forward Hannah Stuelke has returned to the court.
3:06 1st Quarter: Iowa 12, Illinois 11
Media Timeout.
After Iowa roared out to a 10-0 start, Illinois has crawled back to within one point of the Hawkeyes.
Ava Heiden leads Iowa in scoring so far with eight points on 4-for-4 from the field.
8:32 1st Quarter: Iowa 2, Illinois 0
Hannah Stuelke assisted off the court after what appears to be an injury to her elbow.
Jouney Houston subs in for Stuelke, as the senior heads to the locker room.
Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Five
Iowa Hawkeyes Injury Report
Nothing new for the Hawkeyes injury-wise tonight, as sophomore guard Emely Rodriguez is out again for the 22nd straight game, and senior forward Jada Gyamfi remains in recovery from her knee procedure.
How to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Illinois
Streaming: Big Ten Network
Tipoff Time: 8 p.m. CT
Play-by-play voice Mike Hall and color analyst Brenda VanLengen will be on the call for tonight’s game between Iowa women’s basketball and Illinois from their booth at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with the game being broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
How to stream Iowa women’s basketball vs. Illinois
Streaming: Fubo
Hawkeye fans can stream the Big Ten clash between Iowa women’s basketball and Illinois via Fubo, which offers a free trial to first-time subscribers.
Hawkeye Radio Network
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network
Iowa fans can also tune in to play-by-play voice Rob Brooks and color analyst Kathryn Reynolds on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
Iowa women’s basketball schedule
All times CT
- Nov. 3 vs. Southern: Iowa 86, Southern 51
- Nov. 9 vs. Evansville: Iowa 119, Evansville 43
- Nov. 13 vs. Drake: Iowa 100, Drake 58
- Nov. 16 at Northern Iowa: Iowa 74, UNI 41
- Nov. 20 vs. Baylor (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 57, Baylor 52
- Nov. 22 vs. Miami (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 64, Miami 61
- Nov. 26 vs. Western Illinois: Iowa 86, Western Illinois 69
- Nov. 30 vs. Fairfield: Iowa 86, Fairfield 72
- Dec. 6 at Rutgers: Iowa 79, Rutgers 36
- Dec. 10 at Iowa State: Iowa State 74, Iowa 69
- Dec. 13 vs. Lindenwood: Iowa 102, Lindenwood 68
- Dec. 20 vs. UConn (Champions Classic): UConn 90, Iowa 64
- Dec. 28 vs. Penn State: Iowa 99, Penn State 76
- Jan. 1 vs. Nebraska: Iowa 86, Nebraska 76
- Jan. 5 at Northwestern: Iowa 67, Northwestern 58
- Jan. 11 at Indiana: Iowa 56, Indiana 53
- Jan. 15 vs. Oregon: Iowa 74, Oregon 66
- Jan. 18 vs. Michigan State: Iowa 75, Michigan State 68
- Jan. 22 at Maryland: Iowa 85, Maryland 78 (OT)
- Jan. 25 vs. Ohio State: Iowa 91, Ohio State 70
- Jan. 29 at USC: USC 81, Iowa 69
- Feb. 1 at UCLA: UCLA 88, Iowa 65
- Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota: Minnesota 91, Iowa 85
- Feb. 11 vs. Washington: Iowa 65, Washington 56
- Feb. 16 at Nebraska: Iowa 80, Nebraska 67
- Feb. 19 at Purdue: Iowa 83, Purdue 74
- Feb. 22 vs. Michigan: Iowa 62, Michigan 44
- Feb. 26 vs. Illinois: Iowa 82, Illinois 78
- March 1 at Wisconsin: BTN+, 2 p.m.
- March 4-8 Big Ten Tournament
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