Hawkeyes Fall to Virginia

IOWA CITY, Iowa - 10-seed Virginia defeated 2-seed Iowa in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in double overtime, 83-75. 

Sophomore Ava Heiden had 26 points, seven rebounds, one block and a steal, leading Iowa for the day. Senior Hannah Stuelke registered 16 points and a career-high 19 rebounds.  

The first quarter was an even battle from 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. 

Freshman 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. 

The fourth quarter brought discrepancies for Iowa. The Hawkeyes were able to force three Cavalier turnovers and pull down seven more rebounds. Virginia was able to Capitalize on Iowa misdirection, but the Hawkeyes held close to send it into overtime with a collective score of 57.  

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 us 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.  

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with 26 points and five rebounds.
- It was Heiden 13th 20+ point performance of the year. 
- Heiden has reached double figures in 22 consecutive games.
- Hannah Stuelke notched 15 points and a career-high 19 rebounds.
- Stuelke’s 19 rebounds tied an Iowa NCAA Tournament record. (Megan Gustafson, 2019)
- Stuelke has registered double figures in 27 games this season.
- It was Stuelke’s 11th double-double of the season and 22nd of her career.
- Chit-Chat Wright netted 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
- Taylor Stremlow registered seven assists, five points, and three steals.
- Stremlow has dished out six or more assists in six out of the last seven games.
- Kylie Feuerbach recorded seven rebounds, five assists, and four points.