Hawkeyes Knock Out Knights

IOWA CITY, Iowa - 2-seed Iowa (27-6) defeated 15-seed FDU (30-5) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in Iowa City, 58-48. Jan Jensen picked up her 50th career win as head coach of the Hawkeyes, the most by any coach in program history through their first two seasons.  

“I'm just really pleased that we found a way to win,” head coach Jan Jensen said. “What I told the players is there's no time where the phrase “survive and advance” is truer than in March, Credit FDU. They're scrappy. Small ball teams can do a lot of damage from the three. We did what we needed to do, and I am really thrilled and proud of our team.” 

Sophomore Ava Heiden led the scoring for Iowa with a career-high 29 points (11-of-16). Heiden also recorded seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Senior Hannah Stuelke notched a double-double with 13 points and tied her career-high of 16 rebounds.  

The Hawkeyes came out blazing. After buckets by both teams, Iowa pulled away on a 10-0 run forcing an FDU timeout. The Hawkeyes continued let it rain keeping the Knights scoreless for six minutes before they scored four straight three-pointers. Iowa finished the quarter up, 20-17.  

Iowa held up a defensive battle in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes held FDU to just 11.1 percent from the field in the first five and a half minutes. Iowa pulled down 14 rebounds and forced four quarter turnovers. Stuelke led with six points and six rebounds contributing to the Hawkeyes, 27-26 lead at half.   

The third quarter brought some early momentum for the Hawkeyes. Iowa forced a FDU timeout after an 8-0 run, all scored in the paint. Both teams had a collective defensive battle as the quarter progressed. The Hawkeyes kept a narrow, 35-33 lead.   

Heiden led the fourth quarter push with 15 points (4-of-6) and three rebounds. The Hawkeyes scored seven points on three FDU turnovers. Iowa held the Knights scoreless in the last three minutes of play, shooting just 35.3 percent from the field. The Hawkeyes held on to beat FDU, 58-48.    

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with a career-high 29 points (11-16 FG) and seven rebounds.
- It was Heiden 12th 20+ point performance of the year. 
- Heiden eclipsed 700 career points as a Hawkeye.
- Heiden has reached double figures in 21 consecutive games.
- Over the last nine games, Heiden is 85-of-122 from the floor.
- Hannah Stuelke recorded 13 points and a team-high 16 rebounds.
- Stuelke has registered double figures in 26 games this season.
- It was Stuelke’s 10th double-double of the season and 21st of her career.
- Taylor Stremlow registered a team-best seven assists, four points, and three rebounds.
- Stremlow has dished out six or more assists in five out of the last six games.
- Since Stremlow was inserted into the starting lineup, the Hawkeyes are 16-1 this season.

TEAM NOTES
- Iowa has won 10 of its last 11 First Round NCAA Tournament games.
- Iowa has won seven consecutive First Round NCAA Tournament games dating back to 2019.
- Iowa improved to 17-7 all-time in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
- Iowa improved to 15-5 all-time as a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
- Iowa has been a 2-seed six times in program history. (1993, 1996, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2026)
- Iowa has made a total of four Sweet 16s, three Elite Eights, and two Final Fours as a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
- Iowa City has hosted four times in the last five NCAA Tournament opportunities.
- The Hawkeyes have played in front of 52 consecutive home sellouts, the longest streak in the nation dating back to Feb. 26, 2023.
- Iowa improved to 15-1 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season. 
- The Hawkeyes are 21-0 when leading at halftime this year.
- Through the first five minutes of the game, Iowa was 7-of-7 from the floor and dished out seven assists to only one turnover. 
- Since 2009, Iowa became the 45th team to win a NCAA Tournament game making one 3-pointer or less.

UP NEXT
2-seed Iowa will host 10-seed Virginia (21-11) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in Iowa City on Monday, March 23. Game time and tv designation will be released later today.