CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The rollercoaster ride that is the Iowa women's basketball season took another alarming turn Thursday night as the No. 23 Hawkeyes suffered a gut-wrenching 62-57 defeat to a gritty Illinois squad.

Known for their resilience, the Hawkeyes faced a classic Big Ten clash where every possession mattered, but the inability to capitalize in key moments proved costly.

Despite holding onto a narrow lead for much of the game, Iowa's inability to maintain momentum in the second half was evident as they struggled to assert themselves on the court.

The visiting team never led after halftime, a frustrating reality that left fans and players alike yearning for greater consistency.

“A road win in this league is always a tall order, especially when you’re facing intense pressure on an opponent’s home court,” said Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen.

The game's tempo took a shift when Iowa committed 18 turnovers, a statistic that didn't adequately reflect the critical nature of those mistakes.

Jensen stated, "It’s not just about the number of turnovers; it’s the timing and where they happened that hurt us the most."

Iowa had a chance to shake off their misfortunes late in the game.

Trailing by three points with just over 30 seconds remaining, the Hawkeyes fought hard to regain possession after a defensive stop.

However, Sydney Affolter went to the free-throw line with an opportunity to narrow the deficit, only to miss both attempts.

This miss was emblematic of the team's struggles at the line, finishing with a disappointing 8-for-17 performance.

“I think if we had converted our free throws, we would have won,” said forward Hannah Stuelke, who led the team with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

“It's unfortunate, but we have to learn from it and improve.”

The Hawkeyes showcased potential early in the game, jumping to a 29-20 lead in the second quarter.

However, back-to-back four-minute scoring droughts allowed Illinois to claw their way back, narrowing the gap to just two points by halftime.

This lack of scoring flow continued into the third quarter, where Illinois capitalized on Iowa's mistakes.

With the Big Ten conference being exceptionally competitive this season, every game counts, and this loss certainly stings for Iowa.

As the team moves forward, they must embrace this experience as a learning opportunity.

"We’ve got a lot of work to do. We can’t afford to drop games like this if we plan to stay in the mix," remarked Lucy Olsen, who contributed 16 points.

As the season progresses, the Hawkeyes will need to dig deep and refocus if they hope to turnaround their fortunes and secure a stronger position in the conference standings.

The next match could be pivotal as they look to bounce back and avoid further setbacks.

Keep an eye on the Iowa women’s basketball team's journey, as they strive to reclaim their momentum and turn this disappointment into a driving force for the rest of the season.