Iowa Survives Knights’ Upset Bid, 56-48

Hawkeyes Escape Scare Against FDU in March Madness Thriller

The roar of the crowd in Iowa City was deafening, but the tension was even higher. The No. 2 seed Iowa Hawkeyes narrowly avoided a massive upset in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64, holding off a determined Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU) Knights squad for a hard-fought 56-48 victory. The Knights, riding a 22-game winning streak, proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing Iowa to the brink and reminding everyone why this event is called March Madness.

Knights Show Championship Grit

From the opening tip, FDU, the NEC champions, played with a fearless attitude. They entered the game with the same starting lineup for all 35 of their games this season, a testament to their consistency. Early on, they showed they weren’t intimidated, with players like Chloe Gerky drilling a three-pointer. Gerky, the NEC Defensive Player of the Year, proved to be an unexpected offensive spark for the Knights.

Despite Iowa’s strong Big Ten performance, FDU battled back from an early 15-point deficit. They closed the first quarter on an impressive 12-0 run, cutting the lead to just three points at the horn. This surge was fueled by their potent three-point shooting, a key part of their success all season. The Knights averaged nearly 10 made threes per game during their 30 wins, and they continued to find the bottom of the net against the Hawkeyes.

Heiden Leads Iowa’s Charge

On the Iowa side, sophomore center Ava Heiden was the driving force, delivering a career-high 29 points. She consistently worked the paint, using her size and skill to score close to the basket. Heiden acknowledged the team’s strategy, stating, “We had a little bit of a height advantage in there, so we really wanted to work interiorly today.” Her partnership with Hannah Stoki was crucial, as they found ways to score even when FDU’s defense tightened up.

Iowa’s ability to avoid the upset came down to their resilience and experience. “It’s called March Madness for a reason,” Heiden said after the game. “A lot of teams come in here and they’ve got the grit and the fire to get through it. We just need to stick together as a team and I think we’re able to do that and pull out a win.” The Hawkeyes also drew energy from their home crowd of over 15,000 fans, which Heiden noted “really helped us get through that with that energy.”

Key Moments and Turning Points

The game remained tight throughout, with FDU consistently answering Iowa’s runs. Freshman Reese Downey hit crucial threes, and players like Train Hiden and Hannah Stoki made big plays on both ends of the court. McDonald also emerged as a clutch performer in the final minutes, hitting timely shots and playing scrappy defense to bring FDU within one point late in the game.

However, Iowa’s defense eventually made the difference. In the final minute, with FDU trailing by a single possession, the Hawkeyes forced turnovers and secured key rebounds. Despite some missed free throws down the stretch, Iowa’s ability to control the ball and make defensive stops ultimately sealed the victory. Joy Johnson’s late two-point attempt for FDU missed, and Stoki grabbed the rebound, allowing Iowa to run out the clock.

Looking Ahead

For FDU, their incredible 22-game winning streak comes to an end, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. They played with heart and determination, proving they belong on the national stage. Their performance will surely be remembered as one of the most spirited efforts of the tournament.

Iowa advances to the second round, where they will face No. 10 seed Virginia. The Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back from their significant loss to UCLA in the Big Ten Championship. Heiden believes this win shows their character: “It shows our character. It shows who we are and how we work together and we play for each other.” The Hawkeyes will need that same resilience as they aim to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet Sixteen.

“It shows our character. Um, it shows who we are and how we work together and we play for each other. Um, and so bouncing back from a loss like that, it sucks. Uh, but we learned a lot. We broke it down and then we flushed it.” – Ava Heiden on the team’s resilience.

Source: Round of 64: Fairleigh Dickinson Knights vs. Iowa Hawkeyes | Full Game Highlights | NCAA Tournament (YouTube)