Too Much Digging for the Hawkeyes

Jan. 7, 2010

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Iowa posted 33 second-half points, but the Hawkeye women’s basketball team couldn’t complete a game of catch-up during a 63-46 loss to Michigan in Crisler Arena.

The Wolverines swept the season series and improved to 10-5 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa is 8-8, 1-4.

Jaime Printy led three Hawkeyes in double-figure points with 12, followed by Kachine Alexander and Kamille Wahlin with 10 apiece. Alexander had 12 rebounds and three steals; Wahlin added four assists and Printy had five rebounds and two steals. Morgan Johnson and Kelly Krei both blocked three shots.

The Hawkeyes shot a season-low 29.5 percent from the field (18 of 61) and Iowa’s 46 points are also a season-low.

“We weren’t hitting our 3s and when you can’t get to the hoop and you can’t make the shots from the outside, it kind of stifles your offense,” UI head coach Lisa Bluder said. “We lost a lot of confidence shooting, but Michigan played a great defensive game. They had a great defensive scheme.”

Despite trailing by 19 points in the first half and 20 in the second, the Hawkeyes continued to battle in the second half, trimming the deficit to nine points on two occasions. Gabby Machado’s field goal with 14:05 left made it 36-27 and Alexander made it 43-34 with 9:58 remaining.

“Kachine had another double-double, so that was good to see,” Bluder said.

It is the sixth double-double of the season and 15th of her career for Alexander.

With 17 minutes left in the first half, Johnson sank a field goal off an assist from Wahlin, tying the score at 7. The host Wolverines controlled the rest of the way, outscoring Iowa, 24-6. The Hawkeyes trailed 31-13 at the break after shooting 6 of 33 from the field (18.2 percent) and 1 of 15 from 3-point range (6.7 percent). Iowa was also beaten on the boards, 28-16.

The Hawkeyes were stuck on nine points for 6 minutes, 26 seconds in the first half. A field goal by Printy reduced the Michigan lead to 22-11.

Iowa’s 13 first-half points ties the school record for lowest point total in the first half of a contest. The Hawkeyes scored 13 points at Wisconsin-Green Bay on Dec. 7, 2006.

Iowa will have the week off before hosting Penn State on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.

“It’s a good time for a break,” Bluder said. “We can get back into the gym and working hard.”