Key Takeaways
- Virginia upset No. 2 seed Iowa in the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, winning 83–75 in double overtime.
- The game featured close scores, with multiple lead changes before Virginia secured the win in the second overtime.
- Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 28 points, while Iowa’s Ava Heiden scored 26 points but struggled with three-point shooting.
- Virginia’s victory moves them to the Sweet 16, showcasing their momentum in the tournament.
- This upset reshapes the tournament bracket and highlights the competitiveness of the field.
Virginia pulled off a major upset in the 2026 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, taking down No. 2 seed Iowa in a double-overtime thriller. The No. 10 seed secured an 83–75 win in the second round, ending Iowa’s run in the tournament.
The game stayed close from start to finish. Neither team could break away during regulation, which ended in a tie and forced overtime.
Match Details of Virginia Iowa 2OT Upset
This matchup was tightly contested, with multiple lead changes throughout the game. Both teams traded momentum, but neither managed to create a comfortable lead.
The first overtime period still wasn’t enough to decide the winner, sending the game into a second extra session. That’s where Virginia finally pulled ahead, outscoring Iowa to secure the win.
The game took place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, making it Iowa’s final home appearance of the season.
Player Performance in Virginia Iowa 2OT Upset
Virginia’s win was powered by strong individual performances. Kymora Johnson led the team with 28 points, while Sa’Myah Smith added 23 points to keep the offense steady.
On Iowa’s side, Ava Heiden scored 26 points and grabbed six rebounds. Hannah Stuelke contributed 15 points and 19 rebounds, and Chit-Chat Wright added 21 points.
Iowa struggled from beyond the arc and didn’t get much production from the bench compared to Virginia.
Impact of Virginia Iowa 2OT Upset
The result knocked out a No. 2 seed and reshaped the tournament bracket. Virginia moves on to the Sweet 16 after back-to-back overtime wins, including its previous game against Georgia.
This victory adds to Virginia’s momentum and keeps its tournament run alive.
Overall, the game stands out as one of the key upsets in the 2026 NCAA women’s tournament, showing how competitive the field has been.