In a closely contested matchup, No. 23 Iowa suffered a 62-57 upset loss to Illinois, marking their second consecutive defeat and dropping their season record to 12-4 (2-3 Big Ten). Here are the key takeaways from the game:
1. Struggles at the Free Throw Line
Iowa’s poor performance at the free throw line was a significant factor in their loss. The Hawkeyes shot just 8-of-17 overall and were particularly ineffective in the fourth quarter, hitting only 3-of-10 attempts. Senior guards Kylie Feuerbach and Sydney Affolter combined to shoot 3-for-10 from the line, which proved costly in a tight game.
2. Limited Offensive Contributions
Outside of Lucy Olsen and Hannah Stuelke, who combined for 34 points and 13 rebounds, Iowa’s offense struggled. The rest of the team managed only 23 points, with no other player scoring more than six. This lack of balanced scoring hurt Iowa’s chances down the stretch.
3. Key Momentum Shift Before Halftime
Illinois closed the first half with a 7-0 run and extended it to a 12-0 run into the third quarter. This shift erased Iowa’s early control of the game and gave Illinois the momentum needed to secure the upset.
4. Experimentation with Lineups
Head coach Jan Jensen experimented with a smaller starting lineup, but quickly moved away from it after a fast start. The lack of continuity in the rotations, particularly with freshman Aaliyah Guyton, who had a rough second quarter, affected Iowa’s rhythm.
5. Lack of 3-Point Shooting
Iowa struggled from beyond the arc, finishing just 5-of-20 on three-point attempts. With key players like Taylor McCabe and Lucy Olsen contributing minimally from downtown, the team’s shooting woes compounded their scoring issues.
6. Addison O’Grady’s Limited Impact
Senior center Addison O’Grady, typically a staple in Iowa’s lineup, played just 13 minutes after halftime and finished with a minus-11 in the plus-minus category. The altered rotations appeared to disrupt her usual effectiveness.
7. Need for Freshmen Contributions
Despite the struggles of some upperclassmen, Iowa’s freshmen saw limited playing time. With Affolter, Feuerbach, and O’Grady underperforming, there is a growing argument for integrating more of the younger players, such as Taylor Stremlow and Ava Heiden, to inject new energy and development into the lineup.
Analysis
Iowa’s loss to Illinois highlights several areas that need attention, particularly in free throw shooting, offensive balance, and lineup consistency. As the season progresses, Coach Jensen may need to rely more on her freshmen to find a spark and improve the team’s overall performance. With a tough schedule ahead, including a matchup against Indiana, Iowa must address these issues to stay competitive in the Big Ten.
