Virginia’s women’s basketball team has pulled off something no First Four squad has ever achieved, and the journey is far from over, Yankee Scores reports.
Cavaliers Make Sweet Sixteen History
As reported by John Bohnenkamp (AP), 10th-seeded Virginia defeated No. 2 seed Iowa 83-75 in double overtime, becoming the first First Four team to reach the Sweet Sixteen. Kymora Johnson led the way with 28 points, including 14 in the two extra periods.
Johnson’s performance capped a remarkable stretch, with Virginia winning three games in just five days. They edged Arizona State 57-55 in the First Four, followed with an 82-73 overtime victory over Georgia, and then stunned Iowa in front of a sellout crowd of 14,332.
Breaking Barriers
“It’s the first time Virginia has advanced to the second weekend of the tournament since 2000,” Bohnenkamp noted. The Cavaliers also became the first 10-seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen since Creighton in 2022, who coincidentally knocked out Iowa as well.
Iowa had multiple chances to seal the game. Chazadi Wright’s turnaround jumper missed at the end of regulation, while Taylor Stremlow and Ava Heiden both missed opportunities in the first overtime.
Key Performances
Paris Clark added 20 points for Virginia, while Romi Levy scored 13 and Caitlin Weimar chipped in 12. For Iowa, Heiden led with 26 points, Wright had 21, and Hannah Stuelke posted 15 points with 19 rebounds for her 10th double-double of the season.
Virginia led 28-23 at halftime, capitalizing on foul trouble for Heiden and Iowa’s poor shooting from deep. The Hawkeyes went just 1-for-12 from three-point range in the opening half.
What’s Next
The Cavaliers now advance to the Sacramento Regional semifinals, where they will face third-seeded TCU. With momentum on their side, Virginia’s Cinderella run has quickly become one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
