In Norman, Oklahoma, this past Saturday, freshman standout Ava Heiden propelled sixth-seeded Iowa to a dominant 92-57 victory over No. 11 seed Murray State in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Heiden emerged as a key player, notching a career-high 15 points along with seven rebounds, marking a significant step up as she had not achieved double-digit scoring for most of the season until Iowa’s final two Big Ten Tournament contests.
Iowa’s coach, Jan Jensen, acknowledged the pressure of March Madness and was pleased with how Heiden and her fellow freshmen rose to the occasion. “This is the first time Ava and company, the young kids, have been on the biggest stage,” Jensen noted, commending Heiden for reaching the next level under the tournament’s spotlight.
Iowa also benefited from Lucy Olsen’s contribution, who provided 12 points and set a personal best with 12 assists. This victory marked a celebration for Jensen, who recently ascended to head coach following Lisa Bluder’s retirement. Jensen expressed her joy and relief at achieving this pivotal first win in her new role. “I’m really grateful to get this first win,” she commented after their successful match. Iowa is set to face third-seeded Oklahoma for a chance at the Sweet 16 after the Sooners defeated Florida Gulf Coast 81-58.
Murray State, unfortunately, had a setback when their star player, Katelyn Young, who came into the tournament with an average of 22.2 points per game, exited the match early in the third quarter due to an ankle injury, with Iowa leading 42-30. With Young sidelined, the Racers were outscored significantly, sealing their fate. Despite her injury, Young reflected positively on her final season, noting the camaraderie of her team.
The Hawkeyes were without their number two scorer, Hannah Stuelke, for much of the first half due to early foul trouble, yet their team depth showed as Heiden filled the gap offensively. The team entered halftime with a comfortable 42-30 lead and capitalized further in the second half. Murray State struggled throughout the game, posting their lowest scoring output of the season due to a stifling Iowa defense. Young remarked on the tight Hawkeye defense, which aimed to keep the ball from her as much as possible.
Rechelle Turner, Murray State’s coach, showed support for Young as she attempted a return to the court but ultimately couldn’t continue. Turner was emphatic in her gratitude for Young’s contributions, highlighting the player’s significant influence on the team. Before her injury, Young had reached another impressive career milestone, surpassing Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw for 14th place on the all-time Division I women’s scoring list, ending her college career with 3,029 points.
A crucial turning point in the game arose after Stuelke succeeded in making one of two free throws, which was then followed by an offensive rebound by Sydney Affolter. This led to a successful three-pointer by Kylie Feuerbach, stretching Iowa’s lead to 47-30 and essentially solidifying their hold on the game. Iowa’s sharp shooting, with success rates of 64.7% in the second quarter and 68.4% in the third, provided them a firm control over the match and solidified their advance to the next round.
