Ava Heiden's game-high 28 points helped Iowa overcome poor perimeter defense and win its regular season finale.
Every Iowa fan may need to seek the local cardiologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, but their beloved Iowa women's basketball team pulled out a 82-78 nail-biter over a scrappy Illinois squad at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Thursday.
Sophomore center Ava Heiden continued her incredible campaign, posting 28 points and four rebounds on 13/18 shooting. Hannah Stuelke also delivered a clutch performance in her regular season Carver-Hawkeye finale, collecting 18 points on 7/13 shooting.
The Hawkeyes improve to 23-5 overall and and 14-3 in Big Ten play with the win.
First Half
The game began on an ominous note for Iowa. Stuelke injured her right elbow while diving for a loose rebound and was forced to head to the locker room.
Freshman Journey Houston took Stuelke's place, and the transition didn't seem to bother the Hawkeyes. A quick eight points from Heiden helped Iowa jump to a 10-0 lead early, but Illinois showed it was no pushover - going on an 11-2 run to get right back in the ballgame.
The rest of the first quarter was a see-saw affair, but Kylie Feuerbach gave the home fans a boost with a triple in the waning seconds to push the Hawkeyes in front, 20-17, after one.
Despite going into the second with momentum, Iowa let it evaporate very quickly. The Hawkeyes shot an efficient 54% clip from the field in the period, but inconsistent defense early on prevented Iowa from extending its lead.
Illinois cooled off midway through the period (3:44 field goal drought), and that's when things got a little chippy. Neither head coach or the crowd was pleased with the officiating in the period, and it seemed like bodies were hitting the deck on every possession.
It was only fitting the second quarter would end like the first quarter, and that's exactly what happened. Cearah Parchment buried a three from the top of the key in the final seconds to send the game to a 35-35 halftime tie.
Second Half
After a rocky second quarter, both teams came out sizzling to begin the third. Illinois was finding gaps in Iowa's defense, and it took advantage by making 6 of its first 7 tries to open the frame. The Hawkeyes also couldn't miss, going 6/9. Heiden converted four of those attempts, and Iowa's game plan quickly centered to the paint.
Iowa got whatever it wanted inside, but its problem in the third was keeping Illinois off the three-point line. The Fighting Illini closed the period on a 2:51 scoring drought, but four triples helped them keep the game tied, 56-56, after three.
Illinois continued its hot streak from distance to begin the fourth, and another trey by Parchment gave the Illini their largest lead of the night (64-58). Jan Jensen called timeout to re-ignite her team, and she likely told everyone to pass the ball to Heiden.
Whenever the Hawkeyes needed a bucket, Heiden was there to give it to them. She opened the fourth quarter with 10 points to cut Illinois' lead down to one with 4:08 left.
Iowa finally took the lead on a Houston jumper with three minutes left, which triggered one more see-saw battle. Each team traded wide-open layups for a few possessions, but two free throws from Chit-Chat Wright gave the Hawks the lead.
The Fighting Illini wouldn't go away, however. Stuelke made a pair of free throws to push Iowa up by two possessions, but Illinois came back with a contested three to cut the lead down to one, 79-78.
Wright again struck gold from the stripe to give the Hawkeyes a three-point cushion. The Illini had a chance to tie with a triple, but they were called for a moving screen to send the ball back to Iowa.
Stuelke, a 60% career free throw shooter, went back to the line and split the pair to clinch the game.
Up Next
The Hawkeyes will return to action on Sunday, March 1 for their regular season finale at Wisconsin. The Badgers (13-15, 5-12) haven't beaten the Hawkeyes since 2001, but have showed some competitiveness under first-year head coach Robin Pingeton this season.
Tip off is set for 2 p.m. CST on Big Ten Plus.