The Illinois women’s basketball team won the battle but not the war on Thursday night, outrebounding Iowa 46-29 in a 72-62 loss.

The junior pair of Jenna Smith and Lacey Simpson topped the Hawkeyes in rebounding on their own, finishing with a combined 33. But after shooting 34 percent from the field and 14 percent from beyond the arc, Illinois found itself in a hole at the Assembly Hall.

On the defensive end, Illinois did not have an answer for the Hawkeyes’ Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith, who finished with 21 and 17 points, respectively.

The Illini hit a rough stretch over winter break, having lost 14 of their last 15 games, including eight straight.

The squad hopes to end its winter skid Jan. 18, in a rematch against a Wisconsin team that held the Illini to 38 points earlier this season.