Iowa maintains its perfect start as it easily defeats Western Illinois. Iowa City, Iowa— The No. 11-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Western Illinois Leathernecks 86-69 on a cool Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, making their season record 7-0. The final buzzer felt more like confirmation than relief because Iowa appeared to be every bit the formidable force we had anticipated.
Iowa made a statement from the first tip. In the first five minutes, the Hawkeyes jumped out to a 10-3 lead and didn’t look back. They led 20–9 at the end of the first quarter and 44–25 at the half. Their 16 of 20 inside-arc shots in the first half left the Leathernecks reeling. With 17 points—including a pivotal three early in the second quarter—five assists, and three rebounds, freshman guard Addie Deal had an incredible off-court performance. A first-year player eager to establish herself made a powerful statement on her best night to date.
The post crew, under the direction of sophomore center Ava Heiden, managed the paint inside. Heiden finished the first half with a double-double of 15 (or 18, depending on the stat line source) points, 10 rebounds, and a few assists after going 5 of 5 from the field. That was her fourth double-double of the season. Hannah Stuelke, a forward, contributed 12 points in the interim, extending Iowa’s lead well into the second half. When the coverage inside tightened, junior guard Taylor McCabe stepped up and made multiple three-pointers to keep the scoreboard moving.
The Leathernecks made a comeback after halftime, but Iowa’s lead never really faltered. Thanks to consistent inside play, accurate shooting, and a bench that continued to contribute even when the starters rested, the margin remained in the double digits, occasionally rising as high as 23. The Hawkeyes had completed their task with composure by the time the last horn blew. A mixture of cheers and chants broke out from the nearly 15,000 people in attendance. The victory wasn’t spectacular. It wasn’t overwhelming. However, it was decisive. It was basketball from Iowa.
Behind the Numbers: Iowa’s Success Factors balanced bench depth and scoring. Freshman Deal’s arrival came at a perfect moment as starters were either resting or recovering from lingering knocks. Her stat line of 17 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds says it all: a young player with poise and confidence making an appearance on a major stage.
predominant presence of paint. Heiden’s double-double demonstrated how important Iowa’s interior is. She set the tone early with her finishing, board-grabbing, and rim protection.
firing a gun from the outside. McCabe and others stepped up from deep when the defense collapsed inside on Iowa’s post players, giving Iowa’s offense an element of unpredictability.
Lockdown defense and early momentum. Western Illinois was never able to truly mount a comeback thanks to a quick, aggressive start and disciplined pressure on the perimeter. Turnovers were converted to points. Missed shots became opportunities for transitions.
What this victory means and what to anticipate next This 7-0 start for Iowa is more than just a statistic. It has to do with developing one’s identity. In recent nonconference play, they faced pressure from elite teams like the Miami Hurricanes and Baylor Bears, but they managed to prevail. The Leathernecks game served as a reset, giving depth players an opportunity to shine, increasing rotation flexibility, and allowing the team to establish control without having to play flawlessly.
Iowa’s combination of interior strength, balanced scoring, and growing confidence could be dangerous as league play continues and tougher opponents loom. This season could be more than just a strong start if rookies like Deal continue to step up and veterans follow with consistent play. It could be the real thing. And if you ask a fan who was departing Carver that evening? “That’s Hawkeye basketball,” they would most likely say. dependable. tenacious. Even on the quiet nights, it’s exciting.
