Dec. 21, 2003
Sometimes it’s about having some fun. And Coach Lisa Bluder’s Iowa Hawkeyes found some during the second half of their 79-65 victory over intrastate rival Drake Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa, trailing by two at halftime, outscored the visitors 40-28 during the final 20 minutes when smiles returned to their faces. “We came out a lot stronger in the second half. We were clicking with each other better, having fun, and enjoying ourselves,” Bluder said of her team’s play in the second half.
The Hawkeyes took the lead for good on a three-point play by Jennie Lillis just 90 minutes into the second half at 42-41. The Bulldogs twice got to within one, but three straight bucketsby by Jenna Armstrong including back-to-back three’s gave the home team a 58-49 lead with just under 12 minutes to play and the Hawkeyes never looked back.
Iowa was paced in scoring by Kristi Faulker, who scored 20 of her 24 points during the first half when Iowa struggled to a 39-37 deficit. Lillis added 16 and Jamie Cavey 12.
The Hawkeyes were outshot and outrebounded, but took better care of the ball and posted season highs for steals and free throw shooting en route to claiming their seventh win of the season.
Iowa is idle until Dec. 28 when it entertains Creighton at 2 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the final non-conference home game of the 2003-04 season.