Pair of Double-Doubles Power Virginia to First Four Victory The 10th-seeded Virginia women’s basketball team (20-11) secured its first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament victory since 2018 with a 57-55 win over 10th-seeded Arizona State (24-11) on Thursday night (March 19) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Cavaliers advanced to face seventh-seeded Georgia (22-9) in the next round on Saturday (March 21) at the same venue, with the game set for 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Caitlin Weimar added 11 points and 12 rebounds off the bench. The game’s momentum shifted in the first quarter as Virginia surged ahead with a 7-0 run late in the period, taking a seven-point lead. The Cavaliers entered the second quarter with a 19-14 advantage after shooting 7-for-13 from the field in the opening 10 minutes. Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, with Virginia hitting just 26% of their shots and Arizona State managing only 14%. Virginia extended its lead to nine points by halftime, outscoring the Sun Devils 10-2 in the frame. The Cavaliers held Arizona State without a basket on their final seven attempts of the half, maintaining a 30-22 lead at the break. Arizona State responded with a 50% shooting performance in the third quarter but was limited to just eight field-goal attempts as Virginia forced six turnovers. The Sun Devils cut the deficit to four points by the start of the fourth quarter, trailing 40-36. After trailing by eight points with 4:28 remaining, Arizona State launched a late rally, capped by a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left to tie the game at 51-51. Kymora Johnson answered with a clutch 3-pointer moments later, giving Virginia a 57-55 lead.#arizona_state #carver_hawkeye_arena #kymora_johnson #caitlin_weimar #amaka_agugua_hamilton
Iowa women's basketball announced as NCAA Tournament host The Iowa women's basketball team, ranked No. 9 in the latest polls with a 26-6 record and a 15-3 mark in the Big Ten, has been selected as one of 16 host sites for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. While the selection was anticipated by many fans, the announcement solidifies the Hawkeyes’ role in hosting the first and second rounds of the tournament at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The exact seeding for the team will be revealed during Selection Sunday, but the significance of the host designation lies in the opportunity to play games at home. The Hawkeyes are projected as a No. 2 seed in ESPN’s latest bracketology, with games scheduled for either March 20 and 22 or March 21 and 23. Iowa has confirmed that a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase starting at 9 a.m. Central Time on Monday, March 15. The selection highlights the program’s strong position in the national rankings and its ability to draw attention as a host site. The tournament games will take place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a venue known for its passionate fan base and competitive atmosphere. The ticket sale announcement underscores the excitement surrounding the event, as fans will have the chance to support their team in a high-stakes setting. This development also reflects the broader context of the NCAA Tournament, where host sites play a crucial role in shaping the bracket and providing a platform for teams to showcase their skills. For Iowa, hosting the tournament rounds represents both an honor and a challenge, as the team will need to balance preparation for the games with the responsibilities of managing a large-scale event.#iowa_women_basketball #big_ten #ncaa_tournament #carver_hawkeye_arena #selection_sunday
