INDIANAPOLIS, IN:
The Iowa Hawkeyes faced the Fighting Illini in the quarterfinal of the Big 10 women’s basketball tournament in Indy tonight. This is Iowa’s first appearance as they hold a second seed and Illini is on the hardwood for the third time in three days as they fought there way to this game with a #10 seed. Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke was in the starting lineup after being out a game with an injured elbow.
The final score wasn’t an indicator of how much Iowa dominated for three quarters. The Hawkeyes came out determined to not let the Illini guards beat them and locked down the entire Illinois team, holding them to 33% from the field. If not for a 27 point 4th quarter by Illinois while holding Iowa to just 11, the score would have been lopsided.
The first quarter showcased the Hawkeyes ability to play under pressure. Iowa opened the game with a 7-0 run over the first three minutes and maintained a lead the entire quarter. Iowa’s defense made it tough for Illinois to get any good close-range shots. Illinois shot just 5 of 18 field goals while Iowa hit 8 for 14, shooting almost twice as accurate. Iowa took an early lead 21-11 after the first quarter playing calm and collected 5 players contributing to offensive points and a very difficult defense down low. Illinois was able to drive in some baskets towards the end of the first to attempt to keep the gap narrow.
Iowa extended their lead in the second and continued to set the pace and tone of the game. Iowa’s Taylor Stremlow put 5 points on the board for the Hawks while Illini’s Brown-Haggar led the quarter with 7 for Illinois. This is a calmer controlled game then we are used to seeing from the Hawks with scoring fairly evenly scattered amongst 6 players and a number of blocks so far this game showing continued dominance in the paint. Iowa was up 37-23 at the half and despite no “hero” performances is putting a dominant game on the court. If Illinois can show moderate improvement in the second half, they could make this a tight game.
The third quarter was more of the same with an incredibly slow pace by Iowa’s standards as they usually are fast in transition. Both teams continued to take their time setting up plays from outside the arc with Iowa being superior in executing. With Illinois shooting just 2 of 18 attempts, Iowa was able to extend their lead to 22 points. The third quarter ended 53-31 Iowa with Illinois seemingly wore down and in a four-minute scoring drought allowing a 7-0 run for Iowa.
The fourth quarter continued the same play style and outcome though Iowa did begin to play it’s bench allowing Illinois to climb closer with a 15-0 run. Up next is the three seed, no. 8 Michigan in a rematch of a game the Hawkeyes won easily ten days ago. Game time is 4:30pm on KWPC, AM 860/FM 95.1. Coverage is brought to you by Ed Morse Chevy, Buick and GMC and Muscatine Power and Water.
Game Notes
– Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points, a career-high five blocks, four rebounds, and three assists.
– Over the last six games, Heiden is 60-of-80 from the floor. (75 percent)
– Heiden has reached double figures in 18 straight games and against all 17 Big Ten opponents played this season.
– Heiden has netted double figures in three consecutive Big Ten Tournament games dating back to last year.
– Taylor Stremlow filled the stat sheet with nine points, six assists, and four rebounds.
– Over the last three games, Stremlow has 26 assists to three turnovers.
– Stremlow has dished out five or more assists 11 times this season.
– Stremlow made her sixth consecutive start and 14th of the year.
– The Hawkeyes are 14-0 in such games when Stremlow is in the starting lineup this season.
– Chit-Chat Wright added 12 points (5-8 FG), four assists, and five rebounds.
– Journey Houston grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds and four points.
– Hannah Stuelke recorded 13 points and five rebounds in her return to Iowa’s starting lineup.
