Hawks run ends with 71-59 loss to Illinois

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots against Illinois Fighting Illini center Tomislav Ivisic (13) in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Well folks. It was a helluva run in Ben McCollum’s first season.

But the magic ran out against a familiar foe with the Iowa Hawkeyes (24-13) losing to the Illinois Fighting Illini (28-8), 71-59, after the offense dried up in the second half. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawks with 24 points on 8/17 shooting and his 15 first half points paced the Hawkeyes offense to an early lead. Tate Sage was the only other Hawks with double-digit scoring with 10.

The game could not have started better with the Hawks building a 12-2 lead within the first 4 minutes. The offense was humming and Iowa was able to maintain their efficiency from the first three tournament games. After the break, the Illini began leaning on the Hawkeyes on the offensive glass: 3 of their next 4 baskets game on second chance opportunities, including a tip in which appeared to be in the cylinder which closed the gap to 20-15.

After a pair of Stirtz baskets which stretched Iowa’s lead to 27-20, the offense dried up for about 4 minutes before a Tate Sage 3 extended the lead to 30-26 with 2:55 remaining. Despite the wretched defensive rebounding, Iowa availed themselves on that end by forcing 7 first half turnovers and holding Illinois to 10/27 shooting in the frame. Crucially, a team which relies heavily on the 3 was not able to string any makes together as the Illini went just 1/8 from deep in the first.