AP PHOTO - Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) makes a pass between Michigan defenders Brooke Quarles Daniels (5) and Olivia Olson (1) in the second half of their Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinal basketball game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Iowa women’s basketball team used a dominant fourth quarter to turn a tight game into a decisive victory Saturday night, defeating Michigan 59-42 in the semifinals of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Iowa outscored Michigan 24-6 in the final period to break open a close contest that featured multiple lead changes through the third quarter. The second-seeded Hawkeyes improved to 26-5 and advanced to Sunday’s championship game against top seed UCLA (30-1).

Center Ava Heiden led Iowa with 16 points, while Hannah Stuelke recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds. Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright added 13 points and Taylor Stremlow finished with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

“We just stayed aggressive and trusted what we do,” Stuelke said. “Once we started getting stops, everything else started to flow for us.”

Iowa set the tone defensively from the opening tip. The Hawkeyes scored the game’s first nine points and held Michigan to just four points in the first quarter, taking a 13-4 lead after the opening period.

Heiden provided the early offensive spark inside as Iowa controlled the paint and forced Michigan into difficult shots.

“Our defense set the tone,” Heiden said. “When we defend like that it gives us confidence on the other end.”

Michigan gradually settled into the game during the second quarter. The Wolverines tightened defensively and began finding opportunities in transition, cutting into Iowa’s lead as the teams battled through a low-scoring first half.

The contest remained close entering the third quarter as third-seeded Michigan (25-6) found a brief offensive rhythm. Guard Mila Holloway delivered a key sequence midway through the period, converting a three-point play with 6:08 remaining to give the Wolverines their first lead of the night at 34-33.

The teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter, with Iowa holding a narrow 35-34 advantage entering the fourth.

The Hawkeyes quickly seized control from there.

Stuelke sparked the decisive run to begin the final period, scoring seven points in the opening minutes of the quarter to give Iowa a 42-38 lead. Iowa continued to build momentum as Wright and Stremlow connected on consecutive 3-pointers to push the margin into double digits.

Heiden followed with a layup during the run as Iowa stretched the lead to 50-38.

“Our focus was getting stops and pushing the pace,” Wright said. “We knew if we kept playing our game we would get good shots.”

Michigan struggled to generate offense during the decisive stretch. Iowa’s defense forced contested attempts throughout the fourth quarter, limiting the Wolverines to just six points in the period.

Iowa head coach Jan Jensen credited the Hawkeyes’ defensive execution for the late surge.

“That fourth quarter showed what this group can do when we are connected defensively,” Jensen said. “We were getting stops, rebounding and then executing on the other end.”

The Hawkeyes finished with four players scoring in double figures while also controlling the boards behind Stuelke’s double-double performance.

Stremlow’s perimeter shooting provided another key lift during the decisive stretch.

“Everybody stepped up at different times,” Jensen said. “It’s a team effort and that balance makes us difficult to guard.”

Michigan shot just 27 percent from the field against Iowa’s defense and was unable to regain momentum after the Hawkeyes’ fourth-quarter run.

The victory sends Iowa to the Big Ten Tournament championship game for the sixth time in the last eight seasons.

The Hawkeyes will face the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball in Sunday’s title game after UCLA defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes women’s basketball in the other semifinal earlier Saturday.

Iowa players said the team’s composure during the tight stretches helped set up the decisive finish.

“We just stayed together and trusted the game plan,” Stuelke said. “When we kept defending and moving the ball, things started to open up.”

Jensen said the Hawkeyes’ effort reflected the identity the team has built throughout the season.

“This team believes in each other,” Jensen said. “When we commit to defending and playing together, good things happen.”

With the semifinal victory secured, Iowa will look to carry its defensive momentum into Sunday’s championship matchup. The Hawkeyes face second-ranked UCLA (30-1) at 1:15 p.m. in a game televised by CBS.

No. 9 Iowa 59, No. 8 Michigan 42

MICHIGAN (25-6) — Sofilkanich 2-5 0-0 4, Holloway 3-13 3-3 10, Olson 5-15 0-1 10, Q. Daniels 1-4 1-3 3, Swords 3-11 0-0 9, Dudley 1-6 2-4 4, Brown 1-1 0-0 2, Delfosse 0-4 0-0 0. TOTALS 16-59 6-11 42.

IOWA (26-5) — Stuelke 5-10 3-4 13, Heiden 7-15 2-3 16, Feuerbach 0-4 0-0 0, Stremlow 4-10 0-0 11, Wright 5-8 0-0 13, Deal 1-2 0-0 2, Houston 1-3 2-2 4. TOTALS 23-52 7-9 59.

Michigan 4 18 14 6 — 42

Iowa 13 15 7 24 — 59

3-Point Goals–Michigan 4-21 (Sofilkanich 0-1, Holloway 1-5, Olson 0-4, Swords 3-10, Delfosse 0-1), Iowa 6-13 (Feuerbach 0-3, Stremlow 3-5, Wright 3-4, Deal 0-1). Assists–Michigan 7 (Holloway 2, Olson 2, Q. Daniels 2), Iowa 18 (Stremlow 6). Fouled Out–Sofilkanich. Rebounds–Michigan 32 (Olson 6, Swords 6), Iowa 41 (Stuelke 10). Total Fouls–Michigan 17, Iowa 16. A–6,387.