UI Athletics news release
IOWA CITY, Iowa – 2-seed Iowa (27-6) defeated 15-seed FDU (30-5) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in Iowa City, 58-48. Jan Jensen picked up her 50th career win as head coach of the Hawkeyes, the most by any coach in program history through their first two seasons.
“I’m just really pleased that we found a way to win,” head coach Jan Jensen said. “What I told the players is there’s no time where the phrase “survive and advance” is truer than in March, Credit FDU. They’re scrappy. Small ball teams can do a lot of damage from the three. We did what we needed to do, and I am really thrilled and proud of our team.”
Sophomore Ava Heiden led the scoring for Iowa with a career-high 29 points (11-of-16). Heiden also recorded seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Senior Hannah Stuelke notched a double-double with 13 points and tied her career-high of 16 rebounds.
The Hawkeyes came out blazing. After buckets by both teams, Iowa pulled away on a 10-0 run forcing an FDU timeout. The Hawkeyes continued let it rain keeping the Knights scoreless for six minutes before they scored four straight three-pointers. Iowa finished the quarter up, 20-17.
Iowa held up a defensive battle in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes held FDU to just 11.1 percent from the field in the first five and a half minutes. Iowa pulled down 14 rebounds and forced four quarter turnovers. Stuelke led with six points and six rebounds contributing to the Hawkeyes, 27-26 lead at half.
The third quarter brought some early momentum for the Hawkeyes. Iowa forced a FDU timeout after an 8-0 run, all scored in the paint. Both teams had a collective defensive battle as the quarter progressed. The Hawkeyes kept a narrow, 35-33 lead.
Heiden led the fourth quarter push with 15 points (4-of-6) and three rebounds. The Hawkeyes scored seven points on three FDU turnovers. Iowa held the Knights scoreless in the last three minutes of play, shooting just 35.3 percent from the field. The Hawkeyes held on to beat FDU, 58-48.