After two overtimes and a second half of lead changes, it still seemed abrupt to see Iowa walk off their home court after the 10-seed Virginia defeated the 2-seeded Hawkeyes in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in double overtime, 83-75. The same plotline that has plagued Iowa recently, a sputtering offense, missed free throws and continued woes from 3-point range were too much for the Hawkeyes to overcome in a head scratching, 83-75 double-overtime loss to 10th-seeded Virginia before 14,332 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Despite 50 minutes of action, it seemed unreal that the Hawkeyes left the court for the final time this season and Virginia, who was more consistent, especially from the free throw line, moves on to the Sweet 16 next weekend.
After Iowa went on a 27-9 run in the last two minutes of the first half and the third quarter, it looked like they might survive another off shooting day. But Virginia would have none of it and started the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run to force a back and forth second half.
Chit Chat Wright poured in 21 points against Virginia but it wasn’t enough as Iowa fell 83-75 in double overtime. Photo by Kevin Walker
The Hawkeyes were able to force three Cavalier turnovers and pull down seven more rebounds but when Kymora Johnson tied the game at 57, the teams were headed to OT and by the second extra five minutes, the Hawkeyes just couldn’t put the ball in the basket when they needed it.
Ava Heiden had 26 points, seven rebounds, one block and a steal, leading Iowa for the day. Hannah Stuelke registered 16 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. But she missed five of six free throws including all four in regulation. The Hawkeyes were cold from the field shooting 37% and only hit 5 of 29 from behind the three point line. At the free throw line it was much better as they only hit half of their 16 shots from the charity strip.
Chit Chat Wright had 21 points but made three critical errors in overtime that cost the Hawkeyes dearly. She didn’t see the shot clock was running down on a possession and Iowa got a bad shot off. She then fouled Kymora Johnson on a three point attempt with two seconds on the shot clock and a possessions later turned the ball over on a pass to Taylor Streamlow.
Ava Heiden led the Hawkeyes with 26 points but was under constant pressure from Virginia’s inside defense. Photo by Kevin Walker
The first quarter was an even battle on both sides. Four different Hawkeyes added points to the board. Heiden contributed four of Iowa’s six points in the paint. Iowa forced six Virginia turnovers in the quarter, four of them in the last four minutes, leaving the teams all tied up at 13.
Journey Houston came out with back-to-back buckets in the paint to start the second quarter. Iowa knocked down six points after pulling down 21 rebounds in the half. Virginia was able to capitalize on an 8-0 run to gain a narrow 28-23 lead to end the second quarter.
The Cavaliers took the first bucket of the third quarter before Iowa sparked a 7-0 run to close the gap. The Hawkeyes made 6-of-7 straight from the field to grow their largest lead of the day. Heiden continued to get it done in the paint with 12 quarter points (5-of-8). Iowa closed out the third quarter on a 6-0 run to leave the Hawkeyes up 48-39.
Heiden led the first overtime period scoring, continuing her reign in the paint. The Cavaliers took an early stride before Iowa’s back-to-back buckets to force a Virginia timeout. Both teams put up continued buckets, sending the game into double overtime.
Virginia gained control of the game as the second overtime rolled on. The Cavaliers forced two critical Iowa turnovers to close out the game 83-75. Iowa had trouble all day long finishing possessions as Virginia outlasted Iowa
“We didn’t deserve to win,” Iowa head coach Jan Jensen said. “We took 20 more shots (84 to 63). We out-rebounded them (50 to 42). Free throws were bad. Three-point percentage, bad. Hats off to Virginia. … That’s a great, great story. Players made shots. Players made plays. We didn’t make enough of them. Even with all of that … one little free throw by someone.”
The Hawkeyes end their season for the second year in a row in the Round of 32, with a record of 27-8. Coverage of Hawkeye Hoops is brought to you by Muscatine Power and Water.
