Dec. 11, 2014
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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Carver-Hawkeye Arena will be rockin’ tonight when the 24th-ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team hosts Iowa State, so don’t bother knockin’, come on in.
“I love playing at home,” said UI head coach Lisa Bluder. “I love playing in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. We have great fans and our players love playing here, so we’re going to use our home court.”
Iowa will look to defend its home court at 7:10 p.m. (CT), in a contest televised by BTN. Fans are encouraged to wear black clothing for tonight’s ‘Blackout,’ as the Hawkeyes will wear black jerseys at home for the first time this season.
“The atmosphere has the potential to influence the game,” said sophomore Iowa City native Ally Disterhoft. “We are not going to go into any game thinking it is a for sure win, just because we are on our home court. We have to go out there and perform and compete, every time we step out on that floor. We will be ready to do that Thursday.”
The atmosphere generated in Iowa City over the years has helped the team succeed. The Hawkeyes are 355-101 (.778) all-time inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and 95-23 in their last 118 games on Mediacom Court.
“We really do appreciate our fan support,” said Disterhoft. “They have a huge impact on the game.”
Iowa is 19-4 at home since the start of last season, including a 14-4 mark inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena last year which equaled the second-highest single-season home win total in program history. The Hawkeyes, 5-0 at home this season, are looking to stay perfect on their home floor tonight against the Cyclones.
“A big crowd would be so important for us,” said senior center Bethany Doolittle. “We always love having the support of our fans, especially in this huge rivalry game. That will be helpful, and will get us energized and focused.”
Sunday’s crowd of 6,061 helped guide Iowa (7-2) to a 78-63 win over Colorado.
“We have amazing fans, and we love when they come out and support us,” said senior guard Melissa Dixon. “We had such a great crowd against Colorado, and we hope we will have another big crowd here Thursday. They bring us energy, and we are looking forward to that on Thursday.”
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The home team has won seven straight and 12 of the last 13 meetings in the Cy-Hawk Series. Iowa leads all-time, 23-21.
“It is always a big game, and the past has proven it to be,” said Disterhoft. “Everyone loves a rivalry game, and this is definitely ours of the year.
“We are excited for this opportunity. They are a great team, and we are excited to have them here at home. Hopefully, we can draw a large crowd to come out and support us.”
Single game women’s basketball tickets are $12 for adults. Youth — high school-aged and younger — are admitted free to all weekday games. UI students are admitted free with student ID.
Tickets are available by visiting the ticket office at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS, or online at hawkeyesports.com.
