IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — A surging Illinois team aims to disrupt Iowa’s home-court advantage when the Hawkeyes host the Fighting Illini in a pivotal Big Ten women’s basketball clash on Thursday, Feb. 26. The matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena features two of the conference’s hottest teams. Iowa (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten) has won three straight, most recently a 62-44 defensive rout of Michigan on Sunday. Illinois (19-8, 11-5) rides a three-game winning streak of its own, capped by a dominant 92-65 victory at Northwestern, also on Sunday. The game will be a showcase for two of the league’s premier forwards. Illinois is powered by Cearah Parchment, who is coming off a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double against Northwestern. Over her last seven games, she has averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 rebounds. She will duel with Iowa’s standout sophomore Ava Heiden, who recorded a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win over Michigan. Heiden has been a force, averaging 21.6 points and 8.4 rebounds over her last seven contests. Illinois’ recent success has been a team effort. In the win at Northwestern, Destiny Jackson added 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Jasmine Brown-Hagger contributed 18 points and six rebounds. The Illini’s high-powered offense has scored 92 points in two of its last three games. Iowa, however, has found a winning formula by tightening its defense, holding opponents under 70 points in four consecutive games. Veteran presence from Hannah Stuelke, who posted an 11-point, 12-rebound, 7-assist line against Michigan, provides balance alongside Heiden’s scoring. The Hawkeyes won the first meeting this season, 85-69, in Champaign on Jan. 10. Illinois, much improved since then, seeks revenge and a critical road win to bolster its NCAA tournament resume. Iowa looks to protect its home floor and solidify its position atop the Big Ten standings. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST. Iowa travels to Wisconsin on Sunday, March 1, while Illinois hosts Minnesota the same day.