The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Kash money in GTL final

There couldn’t have been a better time for Kachine Alexander to have the best performance of her Game Time League career.

The former Hawkeye scored a game-high 42 points in Wednesday evening’s Game Time championship. Her summer-best scoring effort and 9 rebounds helped propel her team to 90-66 victory and an undefeated season.

"This may be my last Game Time League game," Alexander said. "[Winning] is just a great way to go out."

The 5-9 guard was without four of her teammates in the season’s most important game, including starting point guard and Monica’s/Bob’s first-round pick Jacqui Kalin. With the Northern Iowa senior out because of a sprained ankle — limiting the team to six available players — coach Brendan Unkrich frequently subbed players in and out.

"We were shorthanded to start with," he said. "But they managed to execute so well tonight."

The game started out fairly close, with each team trading baskets for the first 10 minutes of the first half. Northern Iowa and Cullen/Falbo point guard K.K. Armstrong got off to a hot start by scoring 7 points in the half on 4-of-7 shooting.

The half remained close until the game reached the 6:14 mark, when Alexander and Company began to pull away thanks to a suffocating defense. Monica’s had six steals to close the half, and the squad slowly began to take control. With the game tight at 24-20, Monica’s went on a 25-6 run before the intermission and led at halftime 49-26.

The 23-point lead was too much for Hawkeye Kelly Krei and her teammates. The 6-2 forward had an off-night shooting and scored only 8 points. However, teammate and incoming Iowa freshman Melissa Dixon poured in 15 points while being guarded by Kim Rickels.

Game Time Commissioner Randy Larson named Alexander the League’s Most Valuable Player at halftime.

"She led the league in scoring and rebounding, led her team to an undefeated season, and in the championship game scored 42," said Larson on why he named the former Hawkeye league MVP. "If you can’t get that one right, you don’t deserve to make the picks."

When the game turned into a blowout, there was still some excitement on the court. Alexander and Armstrong both dished out hard fouls on one another, and at times it looked as if things were getting testy between the two.

"That’s just how we are every time," Alexander said. "Off the court, we’re fine. But on the court, we’re the same type of player."

With both teams managing to keep their emotions in check, the game ended without a confrontation and with Monica’s coming out on top.

"The Monica’s/Bob’s Your Uncles team rolled throughout the season," Larson said. "It’s no surprise … it was clearly the best team."

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