Iowa women's basketball survives grueling affair with West Virginia, on to the Sweet 16

IOWA CITY — For anyone who thought Iowa women's basketball positioned atop its NCAA Tournament bracket would absolve the Hawkeyes from issues in their own building, March Madness tension barged in Monday with plans of disrupting a grand finale.

Iowa has touted its veteran maturity all year during this magical season in the spotlight, comfortable with any game situation no matter the adversity piling up. Most figured it would show up as the stakes increased later in the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes needed it right now in Monday's second-round game.

One grueling possession at a time, Iowa pushed through ample frustration to keep its season on track.

Despite West Virginia's suffocating attack that turned the contest into an unpleasant rock fight, Iowa answered with its own defensive clinic until the Hawkeyes found enough clutch production late. A hard-earned 64-54 win propels Iowa back to the Sweet 16, where it will face No. 5 seed Colorado on Saturday in Albany, N.Y.

"These games are tough. That's just what they are," said Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, who still managed 32 points on 8-for-22 shooting while going 11-for-12 at the line. "We were down to Georgia at home last year (in the NCAA Tournament). We were down to Colorado (in the Sweet 16). We were down to Louisville (in the Elite Eight). You just have to find gritty ways to win, and that's exactly what we did."

Locked in a tied game with five minutes remaining and a massive upset brewing, Iowa needed to deliver on the mantra it regularly touts. Pressure is a privilege, the Hawkeyes say — and it was time to back up their words.

Sydney Affolter's driving layup and free throw were the first signs of stability after West Virginia pulled even again with 2:55 left. The Hawkeyes grabbed a 55-52 lead on that bucket with the finish line inching closer.

The stage seemed set for a riveting finish, perhaps a clinching logo trey from Clark to close out her final game in Iowa City. This night, though, never got that glamorous. Iowa finished it off with free throws and defensive stops, going 9-for-10 from the line in the final 90 seconds as part of a robust 25-for-30 showing.

Three charity-stripe connections from Hannah Stuelke (12 points, 11 rebounds) in that stretch accentuated her growth. Six more from Clark allowed everyone to exhale.

"You've got to find a way to win," said sixth-year guard Kate Martin, who had seven points and 10 rebounds in her final home game. "We obviously hang our hat on the offensive end of the court and scoring the ball at will like we typically do, but you have to find other ways to win. We found ways with getting stops on defense. I think that's super important. We're probably going to play more physical teams who are really good at defense. West Virginia got us really prepared for what's to come."

Those in the house were looking to rest easy much earlier. Two separate times in the third quarter, Iowa found significant separation. A 10-0 run early in the period pushed Iowa up 12. An 8-0 sprint to end the third answered West Virginia's rally in between. With the noise pumping from every corner at the quarter change, the Hawkeyes seemed ready to seize control late as they typically do inside this basketball madhouse.

West Virginia wasn't wilting away that cooperatively. The Mountaineers' own 10-0 run to begin the fourth pulled things even, 48-48, with five minutes left. Those who helped stripe Carver-Hawkeye Arena black and gold Monday fidgeted in their seats, processing that Iowa was in yet another second-round slog.

"This is one of the hardest rounds in the NCAA Tournament," Clark said. "Everyone is really good. You're expected to win. You're on your home court. You have all the pressure in the world. They have absolutely nothing to lose to come in here and upset us."

That was evident from the opening tip as West Virginia delivered a first half entirely at the Mountaineers' grueling pace and style. A relentless defensive effort set an immediate tone that Iowa wasn't getting through this without resistance.

More:Iowa women's basketball vs West Virginia recap: Caitlin Clark breaks season scoring record

The Hawkeyes' six-point second quarter seemed like a misprint, their 26-point halftime total out of place as well. Clark finished the first half with 11 points on 11 shots as she, too, tried to settle into a productive lane while West Virginia piled on the pressure. Frustration lingered all throughout Iowa's improbable 4:49 scoring drought it took into the locker room.

Iowa has turned plenty of tight games into second-half laughers. Those piled into Carver-Hawkeye Arena yearned for the same. Iowa needed to respond like the experienced squad it is when that didn't happen.

This challenge, with little to gain and a ton to lose as one the sport's elite giants, has been conquered. The chance this night makes an impact in the weeks ahead is tremendously high.

"When you're in situations and you can use that experience to fall back on, we're going to use that wherever we can," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. "I think that helped us tonight."

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.