Iowa’s Balanced Attack Secures Semifinal Bid

No. 2 seed Iowa secured a 64-58 victory over Illinois and a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 Allstate Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament . The Hawkeyes came out hot, building a 19-7 first-quarter lead. They showcased selfless basketball, with five players scoring in the second quarter to take a 37-23 halftime advantage. Iowa extended its lead to 53-31 by the end of the third. Jasmine Brown-Hagger kept the Illini in the game, scoring 22 points, including nine in the fourth quarter.

Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points, pacing a balanced attack that saw four players finish in double figures. The Hawkeyes shot 47% from the field and 29% from three, while Illinois finished at 33% and 23%, respectively. Illinois mounted a late 15-0 run in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too large to overcome. The Hawkeyes’ early dominance and steady play secured the win despite the Illini’s late push.

Iowa will now face the winner of No. 11 seed Oregon vs. No. 3 seed Michigan in tomorrow's semifinal. Want to see it in person?  Click here .

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown below.

First Quarter: Iowa starts hot

• Iowa goes on a 7-0 run in the opening 3.5 minutes, led by a Chit-Chat Wright three.
• Illinois claps back with a jumper from Berry Wallace and a three from Maddie Webber, but Ava Heiden comes through with four straight points in response. 11-5 Hawkeyes with 3:45 left in Q1.
• Notable: The Illini have made just one of their last nine attempts.
• Iowa goes on a 6-0 run to take a 19-7 lead.
• Maddie Webber breaks up the Illini's drought. The teams trade buckets, and the Hawkeyes end the quarter up 21-11.

Second quarter: Selfless Hawkeyes take flight

• Three different Illini get on the board early, but Taylor Stremlow and Hannah Stuelke put up nine for the Hawkeyes. 30-18 Iowa at the media timeout (4:44).
• Jasmine Brown-Hagger has the Illini's last seven points.
• Five different Hawkeyes put up points in the Q2 to take a 37-23 advantage into halftime. They're playing selfless basketball.
• Notable: Iowa is shooting 52% from the field and 50% from three compared to Illinois' 32% and 20%.
• Notable: Illinois 23 first-half points ties its season low.

Third quarter: Iowa's barrage continues

• Brown-Hagger has Illinois' first five third-quarter points, but the Hawkeyes keep pushing. 46-28 Iowa (6:07).
• Notable: Ava Heiden has 14 points in her first 14 minutes of action to pace Iowa. She gives the Hawkeyes a 50-31 lead at 2:39.
• Wright buries a three to end the quarter up 53-31.

Fourth quarter: Illini show life, but too little, too late

• Brown-Hagger, Wallace, and Jackson score for the Illini, but the Hawkeyes stay steady to hold their lead. 64-43 Iowa at the media timeout (3:53).
• Illinois mounts an 15-0 run to close out the game, but Iowa holds on for the 64-58 win.
• Notable: Four Hawkeyes finish in double figures, led by Ava Heiden's 16 points.
• Key Contributors (ILL): Jasmine Brown-Hagger (22 points), Berry Wallace (13 points).

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