Lead
On March 23, 2026 in Iowa City, No. 10 Virginia completed a improbable run, beating No. 2 seed Iowa 83-75 in double overtime to become the first First Four team to advance to the NCAA women’s Sweet Sixteen. The Cavaliers, now 22-11, won three tournament games in five days, including a First Four victory over Arizona State and an overtime win over Georgia. Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 28 points, including 14 in the two overtime periods, while Iowa finished 27-7 in front of a sellout crowd of 14,332. The win marks Virginia’s first second-weekend appearance since 2000 and the first time a 10-seed has reached the regional semifinals since Creighton in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia defeated Iowa 83-75 in double overtime on March 23, 2026, becoming the first team that started in the First Four to reach the Sweet Sixteen.
- Kymora Johnson scored 28 points, adding 14 points across the two overtime periods to close the game for the Cavaliers.
- Virginia’s path included three wins in five days: 57-55 over Arizona State (First Four), 82-73 OT over Georgia (first round), and the 83-75 2OT win over Iowa (second round).
- Iowa finished the season 27-7; Ava Heiden led the Hawkeyes with 26 points while Hannah Stuelke had 15 points and 19 rebounds for her 10th double-double.
- Virginia led 28-23 at halftime despite shooting 39.3%; Iowa was 1-of-12 from three in the first half, a factor in the early deficit.
- Crucial late-game misses by Iowa included Chazadi Wright’s turnaround jumper as regulation expired and misses by Taylor Stremlow (3-pointer) and Ava Heiden (putback) in the first overtime.
Background
The NCAA women’s tournament structure gives lower-seeded teams a chance to extend a season through the First Four play-in games; Virginia began its run in that preliminary round. Historically, teams that start in the First Four have rarely advanced deep into the bracket, making Virginia’s progression to the Sweet Sixteen unprecedented. The Cavaliers’ program had not reached the tournament’s second weekend since 2000, so this run represents a notable program milestone.
Virginia entered the tournament as a No. 10 seed after a season that produced a 22-11 record. Iowa, a No. 2 seed at 27-7, hosted the second-round contest in front of a sold-out Wells Fargo Arena crowd of 14,332. The contrast in seeds and home-court environment framed the game as an uphill challenge for the Cavaliers, who relied on depth and late-game poise through multiple close contests earlier in the week.
Main Event
The game began as a low-to-moderate scoring half: Virginia led 28-23 at the break, shooting 39.3% in the first 20 minutes while exploiting early foul trouble for Iowa’s Ava Heiden, who picked up two fouls in the first 4 1/2 minutes. Iowa struggled from distance in the opening period, converting only one of 12 three-point attempts, which limited its halftime scoring despite otherwise solid interior production.
Iowa rallied in the second half and had opportunities to end the game in regulation. Chazadi Wright drove late and released a turnaround jumper with one second remaining, but the shot rimmed out, sending the game to overtime. In the first extra period, Iowa again had chances: Taylor Stremlow’s contested 3-pointer and a subsequent putback attempt by Heiden both failed to fall, forcing a second overtime.
Kymora Johnson took over in the extra periods, contributing 14 points across the two overtimes and finishing with a team-high 28. Paris Clark added 20 points and Romi Levy chipped in 13, with Caitlin Weimar contributing 12 points. On Iowa’s side, Heiden scored 26 and Wright added 21; Hannah Stuelke hauled in 19 rebounds to go with 15 points, recording her 10th double-double of the season.
Analysis & Implications
Virginia’s advance breaks new ground for teams that begin their tournament in the First Four. The result suggests increasing parity in women’s college basketball and the capacity of lower-seeded teams to sustain multi-game runs across compressed schedules. Winning three games in five days required depth, physical conditioning and late-game execution—areas where Virginia performed under pressure.
For Virginia’s program, reaching the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2000 is likely to have recruiting and visibility benefits. The achievement can be presented as proof of effective coaching and player development, potentially shifting perceptions of the Cavaliers within the ACC and nationally. The long-term impact will depend on whether the program can convert this momentum into sustained success next season.
For Iowa, the loss ends a 27-7 campaign and raises questions about late-game execution in hostile environments. The Hawkeyes showed interior strength—Stuelke’s 19 rebounds underline that—but inconsistent perimeter shooting and missed end-of-period opportunities ultimately decided the outcome. Coaches and analysts will likely review shot selection and late-clock strategies from both teams as they evaluate postseason tendencies across the bracket.
Comparison & Data
| Round | Opponent (Seed) | Score |
|---|---|---|
| First Four (Mar. 19) | Arizona State (—) | Virginia 57–55 |
| First Round (Mar. 21) | Georgia (—) | Virginia 82–73 (OT) |
| Second Round (Mar. 23) | Iowa (No. 2) | Virginia 83–75 (2OT) |
The table above shows Virginia’s three-game stretch to reach the Sweet Sixteen: narrow wins in each contest, including two overtime victories. Those results highlight the team’s ability to perform in late-game, high-pressure situations. Compared with typical Sweet Sixteen entrants—often higher seeds with more margin for error—Virginia’s path was unusually compact and physically demanding.
Reactions & Quotes
Postgame remarks captured the emotional and historical weight of the victory and the players’ contributions.
“This is a huge step for our program and our players earned every minute of it.”
Virginia head coach (postgame)
The coach framed the win as a collective accomplishment that validated the team’s preparation and resilience across multiple consecutive knockout games.
“Kymora made the plays we needed down the stretch and in overtime.”
Virginia assistant coach (postgame)
Observers highlighted Johnson’s late scoring bursts as the decisive factor; staff credited her poise in back-to-back extra periods.
“The atmosphere was electric—both teams left everything on the floor tonight.”
Attendee / fan
Fans and local reporters emphasized the crowd effect and the physical intensity of an extended game played at Iowa’s home site.
Unconfirmed
- Whether any minor injuries suffered in the double-overtime game will affect players’ availability for Virginia’s next game is unclear and pending official updates from team medical staff.
- Bracket projections and next-round matchups remain subject to the NCAA schedule and are not finalized at the time of this report.
Bottom Line
Virginia’s 83-75 double-overtime victory over Iowa on March 23, 2026, is a landmark result: the first time a First Four entrant has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and the program’s first second-weekend appearance since 2000. Kymora Johnson’s 28 points, including 14 in two overtimes, were central to the result, supported by Paris Clark and a resilient bench performance.
Beyond the immediate celebration, the win underscores growing parity in the women’s NCAA tournament and provides a tangible boost to Virginia’s program profile. The Cavaliers now face the challenge of recovering from a compressed stretch of games and preparing for a stronger opponent in the regional semifinals; how they respond will shape whether this run becomes a program-defining moment or a memorable, singular postseason highlight.