Virginia Cavaliers Make History, Reach Sweet 16
Virginia becomes the first First Four team to advance to the Sweet 16 after a thrilling double-overtime victory over Iowa. Kymora Johnson shines with 28 points.
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Kymora Johnson scored 28 points as the 10th-seeded Virginia Cavaliers made history by becoming the first First Four team to reach the regional semifinals, winning 83-75 in double overtime against No. 2 seed Iowa on Monday in the second round of the women's NCAA tournament.
The Cavaliers (22-11) achieved this milestone by winning three games within five days. They began with a narrow 57-55 victory over Arizona State in Thursday's First Four game, followed by an 82-73 overtime win against Georgia in the first round, and then topped the Hawkeyes (27-7) in front of a sellout crowd of 14,332 in Iowa City.
This marks the first time Virginia has advanced to the second weekend of the tournament since 2000. Additionally, it is the first occasion a 10-seed has reached the Sweet 16 since Creighton accomplished the feat in 2022, when they also defeated Iowa in the second round.
Iowa had multiple opportunities to secure the win during regulation and at the end of the first overtime period. Chazadi Wright's turnaround jumper missed the mark with just one second left in regulation. In overtime, the Hawkeyes were unable to capitalize on two critical shots, including a 3-pointer by Taylor Stremlow and a putback attempt by Ava Heiden.
In the overtime periods, Johnson contributed significantly, scoring 14 of her total points during that time. She was supported by Paris Clark, who added 20 points, while Romi Levy and Caitlin Weimar contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Iowa's Heiden led her team with 26 points, followed by Wright with 21 points. Hannah Stuelke also had an impressive performance, recording 15 points and 19 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season.
Virginia held a 28-23 lead at halftime, despite shooting only 39.3% in the first half. The Cavaliers capitalized on Heiden's early foul trouble within the first 4½ minutes and Iowa's struggles from beyond the arc, as the Hawkeyes made just one of their 12 attempts from three-point range.
The Cavaliers will advance to the Sacramento Regional semifinals, where they are set to face third-seeded TCU.