The Iowa women’s basketball team was able to overcome its poor shooting to defeat Arkansas State, 50-47, on Nov. 13, winning the Islander Tip-Off Tournament championship in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Hawkeyes shot just 29 percent from the floor against the Red Wolves.
Kamille Wahlin led all scorers with 14 points, and Kachine Alexander added 12 points and eight rebounds. Iowa out-rebounded Arkansas State, 42-33.
Although head coach Lisa Bluder’s squad shot uncharacteristically poorly on offense, she said, the game was won because of the team’s improved defense — something she harped on all preseason.
"We won this game with our defense and our rebounding," Bluder said. "For us to say we won a game because of defense, we’ve come a long way in a year, because our offense will be back, I really believe that."
Bluder attributed the jump-start defense to a zone Iowa started to run, which was effective in slowing down the Red Wolves’ pace.
Iowa had several dry spells on offense, including a eight-minute scoreless drought in the second half. Sophomore Morgan Johnson eventually snapped the skid for Iowa, scoring with 8:12 remaining to tie the game at 36.
On Nov. 12, Iowa defeated the defending Southwestern Athletics Conference champs, Southern, 76-52. Junior Kelly Krei led the Hawkeyes with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Iowa will return home Tuesday to face Bradley (1-0) for a 5 p.m. tip-off in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
— by Matt Cozzi