In Indianapolis, Iowa fans erupted with chants of “Ava! Ava! Ava!” as freshman center Ava Heiden prepared to shoot free throws with just 34 seconds left in their Big Ten tournament game against Michigan State. The Hawkeyes were closing in on a 74-61 victory, and Heiden’s performance played a crucial role.
Heiden, a reserve player, scored all 11 of her career-high points in the final 12 minutes of the game. She stepped up when Hannah Stuelke faced foul trouble, helping Iowa regain control of the match. After entering the game with less than three minutes left in the third quarter, Heiden quickly put six points on the board, changing the game from a 46-46 tie to a 54-48 lead by the end of the quarter.
Heiden didn’t just score; she also contributed four rebounds and two steals during her 12 minutes on the court. “I’m just waiting for my opportunity,” she said. “I want to shine when it comes.”
Standing at 6-foot-4, Heiden was a standout in high school, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds. However, the transition to the Big Ten has been a challenge. “It’s a roller coaster,” she acknowledged. “You go from being the best player in high school to competing with other great players. I’m learning to navigate that.”
Head coach Jan Jensen recognized Heiden’s potential and compared her to Hannah Stuelke, who also dealt with foul issues during the game. Jensen even received a technical foul for her reaction to a call on Stuelke, admitting she needed to work on her composure with referees.
The game had its ups and downs. Iowa struggled in the first quarter, hitting only 4 of 16 shots and committing six turnovers, but they kept the deficit to just four points. The team bounced back, launching a 16-0 run in the second quarter, thanks to Stuelke’s performance before her foul troubles began. Iowa led the game at halftime, 32-25, even with their three-point shooting struggling at just 14 percent.
As the game progressed, the back-and-forth continued. Even though Iowa maintained the lead for most of the second half, they had to fend off a late surge from Michigan State. Iowa’s star guard Lucy Olsen led all scorers with 21 points, while Stuelke and Taylor McCabe added 12 points each. The Spartans suffered from 24 turnovers, which significantly impacted their chances.
Next, Iowa faces Ohio State after avenging their earlier loss against Michigan State. The excitement and energy from this game have set a thrilling tone for the teams’ upcoming matchups.
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