SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – About midnight Monday, ecstatic Utah
players stood at the center of the Huntsman Center court and
chanted something no women Utes have ever shouted before.
|  | | Utah's Kristina Andersen, left, and Katherine McCol revel in their victory over Iowa. |
"Sweet sixteen. Sweet sixteen," the fifth-seeded Utes screamed
as they danced about the center jump circle.
Lindsay Herbert scored 15 points and the nation's best defense
held Iowa to 30-percent shooting as Utah defeated the Hawkeyes
78-69 and advanced to the NCAA tournament's round of 16 for the
first time ever.
"I can't think of a better group of kids to experience this.
It's been a wonderful year," Utah coach Elaine Elliott said.
Lauren Beckman scored 14 and Amy Ewert added 13 for the
fifth-seeded Utes (28-3), who have won 17 of their last 18 games.
"It is so thrilling. This is such a big step for this
program," Ewert said.
Randi Peterson paced Iowa with 17 points. Hawkeye scoring leader
Lindsey Meder and backcourt mate Cara Consuegra managed just
4-of-27 shooting against the Utes, whose opponents averaged less
than 50 points a game.
"Utah plays such great defense that when you do get open looks
you start worrying about getting a shove instead on concentrating
on the shot. It plays mind games with you and makes it hard to get
any rhythm," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said.
The hard-fought, ragged game included 34 turnovers and 68 free
throws. Peterson was limited to 21 minutes because of foul trouble.
"It was unfortunate. It would have been a different game if we
had Peterson for 32 minutes," Bluder said.
Iowa (21-10) trimmed the lead to 47-39 on Consuegra's layup and
could have cut deeper but Meder missed a layup on the next possession.
Lori Red-Castagnetto scored six as Utah reeled off 10 straight
points while holding the Hawkeyes scoreless for more than six
minutes.
Red-Castegnetto's free throws with 7:50 to play lifted Utah to a
57-39 lead.
Peterson's layup brought Iowa within 67-61 with 1:04 to play but
the Utes made 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute to overcome
Mary Berdo's two late 3-pointers and seal the win.
Ewert scored all 13 of her points in the first half. The senior
guard's backdoor layin with 7:26 left in the half capped a 14-3 run
and gave the Utes a 26-14 lead.
Utah now has the daunting task of facing No. 1 Notre Dame in the
round of 16 on March 26 in Denver.
"We've been playing all season for this (round of 16
appearance). We can't wait to play Notre Dame," Herbert said.
As the fourth seed, Iowa should have hosted the first and second
rounds but the NCAA Wrestling Championships were held in
Carver-Hawkeye Arena and gave Utah the opportunity for two more
home games.
The Utes beat Iowa 66-42 in Iowa City on Nov. 19, holding the
Hawkeyes to 23 percent shooting.
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ALSO SEE
Women's College Basketball Scoreboard
Utah Clubhouse
Iowa Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Amy Ewert provides some offense for Utah in the first half.
avi: 916 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Iowa's Cara Consuegra gets the turnover and scores the layup.
avi: 1280 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Lori Red-Castagnetto comes off the bench and hits the runner late in the game.
avi: 1010 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Kelsy Stireman steals the ball and takes it in for the easy two.
avi: 748 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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