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17 I t literally took a few shots in the dark before University of Iowa women's basketball seniors Hannah Stewart and Megan Gustafson helped USA Team to a FISU America Games gold medal this summer. "At halime of the gold medal game, the lights went out in the entire arena," said Stewart. "We were sitting there waiting for the lights to come back on when the referee blew the whistle and told us to play. It would be like playing in Carver- Hawkeye Arena during the day with no lights. Some light was shining through the doors, but we played in very dark conditions." e arena lacked actual light, but USA Team wasted no time creating its own spark on the court. e Americans went on a significant third- quarter run and won the gold medal game, 59-42, against host Brazil. "We played an entire quarter in the dark and managed to go on a big run," Stewart added. "I guess we defied the odds there." at wasn't the only obstacle the team overcame that day; however. Because of an uncommunicated last-minute game time switch, USA Team arrived to the Brazilian Paralympic Training Center a few hours too early. at le the coaching staff with three hours to get their entire team a meal in a city of 25 million people. "We didn't want to go into a restaurant and order something because we didn't know what we were getting, so we all had to take separate Ubers to the nearest McDonald's," Stewart said. "I had a chicken sandwich and a milkshake right before we played our game. We were all laughing because we knew we shouldn't be eating it, but it was our only option. "At the end of the day we all kept saying, golden arches get gold medals." While winning the gold medal was sweet, the purpose of the trip was far greater for the two Hawkeye seniors. Stewart and Gustafson were invited to the trip through Athletes in Action — a Christian ministry. "Our team in Brazil was cohesive, even though we had only played together for a week," said Stewart. "We all became close and you could tell it was because we were playing for the purpose of spreading the gospel. When we find that purpose and we are all working toward one common goal, it brings us that much closer and makes us that much better." e team also had the opportunity to serve at Samaritan's Feet, where they wash the feet of children in poverty and provide them with a pair of shoes. "In the Bible, Jesus washed people's feet and that showed his humility," Gustafson said. "at's something that we all strive to do every day — to have that servant's heart. Taking part in Samaritan's Feet provided me and my teammates with an opportunity to live that." Now, more than a month removed from their trip, Gustafson and Stewart are grateful for the opportunity of a lifetime. "I'm so thankful to (Iowa head women's basketball) coach (Lisa) Bluder and everyone who made this trip possible for us," Stewart said. "Going to Brazil was a dream come true, and I am grateful." "I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to go on the trip," Gustafson added. "It would have been an incredible trip to go on by myself, but having Hannah there was the cherry on top. Experiencing this with her was incredible."