IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and required two overtime periods to decide, the Virginia women’s basketball team authored a stunning road upset, defeating Iowa 83-75 on Monday afternoon at a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

A crowd of 14,332 watched as the Cavaliers, significant underdogs according to national metrics, clawed back from a double-digit second-half deficit, weathered a monumental individual performance from Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke, and dominated the decisive second overtime to secure a victory in the NCAA Division I contest.

The game’s complexion shifted dramatically in the third quarter. After a tightly contested first half that ended with Virginia leading 28-23, Iowa erupted with a 25-point third quarter, spearheaded by the interior dominance of Ava Heiden and Stuelke. The Hawkeyes turned a five-point deficit into a 48-39 lead heading into the final period, seemingly seizing control.

Virginia’s resilience defined the fourth quarter. Led by the backcourt duo of Kymora Johnson and Paris Clark, the Cavaliers mounted a methodical comeback. Clark, named the team’s top star, ignited a critical run with a pair of three-pointers, while Johnson’s playmaking and scoring kept pressure on Iowa. The Cavaliers outscored Iowa 18-9 in the period, forcing the first overtime when Iowa could not convert on final possessions at the end of regulation.

The first overtime was a tense, low-scoring affair, with both teams managing only eight points. Missed opportunities and key defensive stops, including a crucial block by Virginia’s Tabitha Amanze on a Stuelke layup attempt in the final minute, sent the game to a second extra session tied at 65.

The second overtime belonged entirely to Virginia. The Cavaliers, displaying superior stamina and execution, unleashed an 18-10 barrage. Johnson and Clark were instrumental, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Virginia’s defense, which had struggled to contain Iowa’s paint scoring earlier, tightened significantly, forcing difficult shots and turnovers from a fatigued Hawkeye squad. The Cavaliers sealed the game from the free-throw line, making 11 of 14 attempts in the final period.

Statistically, Virginia won despite significant disadvantages in several categories. Iowa dominated the glass, grabbing 16 offensive rebounds to Virginia’s six, and outscored the Cavaliers 42-24 in the paint. However, Virginia’s efficiency proved decisive. The Cavaliers shot 44.4 percent from the field compared to Iowa’s 36.9 percent, and were markedly better from beyond the arc, hitting nine three-pointers to Iowa’s five. Virginia also capitalized on its free throws, making 18 of 23, while Iowa went just 8 for 16 from the line.

The most important sequence of the game spanned the final minutes of regulation and the start of the second overtime. Trailing by nine to start the fourth, Virginia’s defensive intensity increased, generating turnovers that fueled its comeback. Then, after surviving the first overtime, the Cavaliers’ burst of 11 points in the first two and a half minutes of the second overtime—a run fueled by Johnson’s driving layup and free throws and Clark’s three-point play—established an insurmountable lead that broke the Hawkeyes’ spirit.

Stuelke was phenomenal in defeat for Iowa, playing 48 minutes and recording a monstrous double-double of 15 points and 19 rebounds, along with six assists. Heiden led all Iowa scorers with 26 points, while Chazadi Wright added 21. For Virginia, Johnson led all scorers with 28 points in a marathon 50-minute performance. Clark finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists, providing critical scoring bursts. Romi Levy added 13 points, and Caitlin Weimar contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

With the win, Virginia improved its season record to 22-11. Iowa, which had been projected with a 93.9 percent probability to win pregame, fell to 27-7. The combined score of 158 points went under the pregame over/under line of 138.5.