Despite a season-best point total, the Iowa women’s gymnastics fell to No. 17 Illinois on the road, 196.475-195.050 on Jan. 31. 

The GymHawks excelled on both the vault and beam, posting season highs in both events but trailed the Illini following the second rotation, 98.275-97.450, a lead that the Illinois never relinquished.

Iowa was led by two freshmen. Jordyn Doherty finished with a season-best on the vault (9.800), and Mollie Drenth notched a season-best on the floor with a score of 9.850.

Iowa returns to the road on Friday, when it travels to take on Michigan State in East Lansing. The meet is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CST) in Jenison Field House.

— by Jordan Bucher