No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball (6-0), which made the largest leap in the latest USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll after wins over then-No. 10 Baylor and Miami in the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, Fla., returns to Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight for another nonconference matchup against Western Illinois (4-0).
Sophomore center Ava Heiden leads the Hawkeyes in scoring as the 6-foot-4 native of Sherwood, Ore., is averaging 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game on 63.3% shooting from the floor. In Iowa’s wins over Baylor and Miami, Heiden averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 64% field goal shooting en route to capturing both the Big Ten Player of the Week and USBWA National Player of the Week honors.
As tipoff approaches, here’s how and when Hawkeye fans can watch Iowa take on Western Illinois:
End of 3rd QTR: Iowa 62, Western Illinois 44
Iowa widens its lead to 18 points at the end of the third quarter, as Heiden’s 15 points lead the Hawkeyes’ scoring through 6-for-7 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the line, to add to her 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists.
Western Illinois’ Raegan McCowan and Mia Nicastro have been the key to the Leathernecks’ third-quarter resurgence, but McCowan has picked up four fouls.
4:02 3rd QTR: Iowa 53, Western Illinois 40
Media Timeout.
Western Illinois is shooting fearlessly from deep with some success early in the third quarter, but Iowa remained confident with its own shots to counter the Leatherneck’s surge.
Hawkeyes will need to play tighter defense on a veteran-laden Leathernecks squad.
First Half Frames
Halftime: Iowa 44, Western Illinois 25
Iowa heads into the halftime break with a commanding 19-point lead as the Hawkeyes have shot 19-for-31 from the floor, 3-for-11 from 3-point territory, and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.
At the break, Heiden leads the team with 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe, to go along with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist. Addie Deal is not far behind, with 12 points on her 5-for-7 shooting and 2-for-3 accuracy from beyond the arc.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes have forced 7 turnovers, including 6 steals. However, Iowa’s 10 turnovers in the first two quarters have led to 13 points for the Leathernecks.
3:58 2nd QTR: Iowa 33, Western Illinois 18
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Addie Deal is adding to the Hawkeyes’ offense through a pair of buckets to get to 8 points so far, as the entire Iowa roster is excelling on both ends of the court.
Callie Levin is also getting playing time with Chi-Chat Wright, Teagan Mallegni, and Emely Rodriguez out with injuries tonight.
End of 1st QTR: Iowa 20, Western Illinois 9
Iowa closes out the 1st quarter on a 10-0 scoring run to expand its lead to 11 points.
Ava Heiden has been sensational so far by putting up 12 points on 5-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
3:17 1st QTR: Iowa 10, Western Illinois 9
Timeout Iowa.
Iowa’s five turnovers so far have allowed Western Illinois to come within one point of the Hawkeyes.
Leathernecks on a 6-0 scoring run.
4:37 1st QTR: Iowa 10, Western Illinois 5
Media Timeout.
Iowa is playing very well offensively to start the game, but Western Illinois is getting decent looks at the basket. Fortunately, those shots by the Leathernecks have not gone down.
Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Five
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Where to watch Iowa-Western Illinois women’s basketball
Iowa vs. Western Illinois will stream exclusively on Big Ten Plus. Fans can purchase a monthly pass for $12.99 or an annual pass for $89.99.
Live Stream: B1G+
Tipoff Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Watch Iowa vs. Western Illinois
Iowa women’s basketball availability report vs. Western Illinois
Iowa sophomore guard Chit-Chat Wright, who is dealing with an upper-body injury, will miss her second straight contest tonight. Sophomore guard Teagan Mallegni was also listed as out on Iowa’s game day availability report and sophomore wing Emely Rodriguez was listed as questionable.
Iowa women’s basketball 2025-26 schedule
All times CT
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball vs. Western Illinois: Live updates, score
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
