First-round NCAA women’s basketball games at Iowa are sold out

IOWA CITY — For the second time in less than three weeks, Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be packed for a women’s basketball game.

The University of Iowa announced Wednesday morning that Friday’s first-round NCAA tournament games are sold out.

Colorado and Creighton square off at 12:30 p.m., then it’s No. 8 Iowa against Illinois State at 3 p.m.

It is the fourth women’s basketball sellout in program history. There were 22,157 for the Hawkeyes’ game against Ohio State on Feb. 3, 1985, then 15,500 for a 1988 game with the Buckeyes.

» Storylines aplenty for the NCAA women’s basketball tournament at Iowa

Carver was packed (15,056) for the Hawkeyes’ regular-season finale with Michigan on Feb. 27.

Due to the removal of floor seating to accommodate the NCAA layout, capacity of Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Friday’s event is officially 14,382.

Doors will open at 11:30 Friday morning.

» Get to know Illinois State, Iowa’s first-round NCAA opponent

The UI ticket office told The Gazette that about 12,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s second-round game, which will match Friday’s winners.

A tip time for that game will be released after Friday’s games.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com