For the second straight season under Jan Jensen, the Hawkeyes have started the year 7-0 after an 86-69 victory over Western Illinois on Wednesday.
It wasn't the prettiest or most impressive win on Iowa's docket, but a win is a win, and taking care of business at home is important. Iowa was able to get this result without some key players, as guards Chit-Chat Wright and Teagan Mallegni didn't suit up against the Leathernecks. Even with the shorthanded victory, there was still a lot to like from the Hawkeyes' play in this one.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom young players thriving to some concerns about the team going forward, here are the three biggest takeaways from Wednesday night's win over Western Illinois.
Ava Heiden dominates again
Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) reacts Nov. 9, 2025 during a women’s basketball game against the Evansville Purple Aces at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.What a start to the 2025 season for sophomore center Ava Heiden. A former top recruit, Heiden, is showing off everything from her game that had Iowa fans excited entering this season. She's coming off being named the Big Ten Player of the Week and had another strong performance on Wednesday night. Heiden had 15 points and 10 rebounds on 6-7 shooting from the field in just 18 minutes.
She also had three steals, showing off the defensive side of her game as well. Hawkeye fans are very familiar with Jan Jensen's work on post players, and it looks like Heiden is the latest success story. Iowa's ceiling is significantly higher with Heiden playing like this. What a breakout season so far for the young center.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAddie Deal continues to improve
Iowa guard Addie Deal (7) sets up the offense as Drake guard Grace Knutson (2) defends Nov. 13, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.Deal was the most hyped up non-Caitlin Clark recruit in some time for the Hawkeyes, and fans probably had too many unrealistic expectations for the beginning of her time at Iowa. Deal's had some early growing pains, but she's playing some great basketball recently and had the best game of her young career on Wednesday. Deal had 17 points, three rebounds, and five assists, showing off the wide range of skills that made her a five-star prospect.
Deal's 17 points are a new career-best for the true freshman, whose previous best was 11 points against Evansville. Her development and maturation are very important for the Hawkeyes if they want to make another deep run in March, and she's getting better every game. Fans just needed to give Deal some time; the talent is starting to shine through.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementToo many turnovers
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen watches her team against the Western Illinois Leathernecks Nov. 26, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.On a night where there was a lot to love from this team, the turnovers were a big issue for the Hawkeyes. Iowa committed 21 turnovers on Wednesday night, which is way too many. Jensen will be the first to tell you that the Hawkeyes need to clean up the turnovers going forward as the competition gets stiffer. They didn't cost Iowa on Wednesday, but a better team could make Iowa pay for those mistakes.
Being down a pair of guards, including starting point guard Chit-Chat Wright, no doubt played a big role in the number of turnovers committed, but it's still too many to commit. On a positive note, it'll give Jensen something to work on with her team before their matchup with Fairfield on Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women's basketball takeaways from win vs. Western Illinois
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