Iowa's NCAA Tournament run came to an abrupt end on Monday as they suffered an 83-75 defeat in double overtime to No. 10 Virginia in the second round. The Hawkeyes' season, which had high hopes, was cut short for the second consecutive year.
Chit-Chat Wright's potential game-winning 3-pointer in the first overtime missed its mark, summing up a heartbreaking day for the Hawkeyes. Taylor Stremlow's 3-point attempt, one of 24 for Iowa, rattled out of the rim, sealing the team's fate. The Hawkeyes' poor shooting from 3-point range was a major factor in their loss, with a dismal 14.3% success rate in the tournament. This is a stark contrast to their regular season performance, where they shot 36.2% from beyond the arc.
Iowa's woes from 3-point range were highlighted by their 5-of-29 shooting performance against Virginia. Chit-Chat Wright, the team's leading 3-point shooter, was 4 of 13 from behind the arc in the two games. Taylor Stremlow, the second-leading 3-point threat, struggled with a 1-of-10 performance against Virginia and a 1-of-12 mark for the tournament.
The team's inability to shoot effectively from 3-point range made it difficult for them to overcome Virginia's 20 turnovers. Despite out-rebounding the Cavaliers, the Hawkeyes' poor shooting and free throw struggles ultimately led to their defeat.
The stunning upset for Iowa highlights the challenges of relying heavily on 3-point shooting in the women's college game. Despite their impressive regular season performance, the Hawkeyes' inability to translate that to the tournament stage is a major concern. Taylor Stremlow's struggles from beyond the arc, in particular, will need to be addressed if the team is to improve next season.
