(Iowa City, IA) — The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team had their chances to beat Virginia but their inexperience showed as the Cavaliers shocked the Hawkeyes 83-75 in Double OT in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon.
In regulation with the game tied 57-57, Taylor Stremlow missed a three but Kylie Feuerbach got a big block on a Kymora Johnson triple. Hannah Stuelke, however, missed a lay up on the other end that was blocked away but Iowa got the rebound and Chit Chat Wright missed a jumper with 45 seconds left. Iowa got the ball back with 10 seconds left but Wright waited until the last minute and missed a three at the top of the key so it went to the first overtime.
Virginia built a 63-59 lead in the extra period but Ava Heiden answered with a lay up and after a Johnson miss, Stuelke tied it at 63-63 with a bucket inside. After the Cavaliers turned it over, Feuerbach missed a three and on the rebound, UVa’s Sa’Myah Smith tore down the rebound in front of Stuelke who fell down as Smith made contact. The game played on and after a missed Cavalier shot, Iowa called timeout and the play with Smith and Stuelke was reviewed. A flagrant foul was called and Iowa had two free throws and the ball with 22 seconds left. Wright could only make 1-2 from the line and she was fouled on the in bounds and once again only made 1-2 free throws. The Cavaliers had a 2nd chance and Johnson banked in a shot in the lane with 13 seconds left. Iowa missed a three pointer to win it and the game went to a 2nd overtime tied at 65-65.
The Hawkeyes came apart in the 2nd extra period — Wright committed two key turnovers and the Hawkeyes were 4 of 15 from the field and 1 of 7 from three point land in the 2nd OT. With the game tied at 67-67, Virginia went on a 9-0 run to put the game away.
Kymora Johnson led Virginia (22-11) with 28 points, Paris Clark had 20 points, Romi Levy 13 and Caitlin Weimer added 12.
Iowa (27-7) was led by Ava Heiden with 26 points, Wright had 21, Stuelke had 15 points and 19 rebounds plus 6 assists.
Iowa has four seniors — Hannah Stuelke, Taylor McCabe, Kylie Feuerbach, and Jada Gyyamfi.
