Virginia Stuns No. 2 Seed Iowa to Reach Sweet 16 in Double Overtime Virginia’s 10th-seeded team pulled off a stunning 83-75 double-overtime victory over No. 2 seed Iowa, becoming the first First Four participant to reach the NCAA women’s tournament Sweet 16. The Cavaliers, led by Kymora Johnson’s 28 points, overcame a tough matchup against the Hawkeyes, who were playing in front of a sellout crowd of 14,332 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win marks Virginia’s first appearance in the second weekend of the tournament since 2000 and the first time a 10-seed has advanced to the Sweet 16 since Creighton’s historic run in 2022. The Cavaliers’ journey to the regional semifinals included three consecutive wins in five days. They began with a 57-55 First Four victory over Arizona State, followed by an 82-73 overtime win against Georgia in the first round. Facing Iowa, Virginia’s resilience shone through. Despite Iowa’s efforts to close the gap, the Cavaliers held their composure, with Johnson delivering key baskets in the final minutes. “Iowa is a really good team. They’re a 2-seed for a reason,” said Virginia coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton. “No matter what they threw at us, we just did not get rattled. We believed we were going to win this game before it even started.” The game was tightly contested, with Virginia leading 28-23 at halftime. The Cavaliers shot 39.3% from the field in the first half but capitalized on Iowa’s struggles, particularly Heiden’s two early fouls and the Hawkeyes’ poor 3-point shooting (1-of-12). Iowa, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency, missing critical shots in the final moments of regulation and overtime. Johnson, a junior who grew up just 2 miles from Virginia’s campus, played all 50 minutes.#iowa_hawkeyes #carver_hawkeye_arena #virginia_cavaliers #kymora_johnson #amaka_agugua_hamilton
Parking Adjustments for Monday's NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Game The University of Iowa Athletics department has announced changes to parking arrangements for Monday’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Second Round game against Virginia, set for 1 p.m. CT at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The adjustments aim to accommodate fans while ensuring accessibility and efficient transportation to the venue. Accessible parking options include Lot 46, with space availability subject to permit. A portion of Lot 75 will be designated as an additional accessible parking lot, while Lot 73 will serve as a backup accessible lot, utilizing the CAMBUS Hawk-Lot Hospital (41) route. Fans requiring accessible parking are encouraged to plan accordingly and arrive early to secure spaces. For general public parking, several lots are available, including Lot 65 (Finkbine Commuter), Lot 73 (adjacent to Finkbine), the Finkbine Driving Range, Lower Finkbine, Softball, and the Hall of Fame (Lots 45 and 71). These options also follow the CAMBUS Hawk-Lot Hospital (41) route. Additionally, the Hawkeye Ramp and Ramp 3 are available for hourly parking. Lot 11 will be open for public use as space allows. Fans are advised to park in downtown Iowa City ramps and use CAMBUS routes to reach Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The CAMBUS system provides shuttle services to the arena, reducing traffic congestion and offering a convenient alternative for attendees. It is important to note that parking at Hancher will not be available for the game. The Athletics department strongly encourages carpooling to minimize traffic and support sustainable transportation. Detailed maps, including the Parking Map (PDF) and Route 41 Map (PDF), are available for reference.#university_of_iowa #carver_hawkeye_arena #ncaa_womens_basketball_tournament #cambus_hawk_lot_hospital_41 #finkbine_commuter
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
