Nov. 27, 2015
By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
AUSTIN, Texas — George Washington outscored the University of Iowa, 12-8, in the second overtime to prevail in a battle of nationally ranked women’s basketball teams, 81-77, in the Lone Star Showcase at Cedar Park Center.
George Washington (6-1 overall), entered the game ranked No. 23 in the country according to the USA Today Coaches Poll; the Hawkeyes (5-1) were 21st. This early season nonconference battle was as close as the rankings.
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“George Washington is a great team and we played them as close as we can play them,” UI head coach Lisa Bluder said. “It’s tough to come out with a loss when you play your hearts out like our kids did.”
The Hawkeyes were paced by sophomore center Chase Coley with 22 points and 10 rebounds. She made 8-of-12 field goals, including a 3-pointer at the end of the first half and Iowa’s final field goal with 28 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 64. Coley had 22 points and nine boards Thursday in a win against Wright State.
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“All my shots were from great passes from teammates and attacking their big girl who had four fouls,” Coley said.
Two other Hawkeyes finished in double figures: junior Ally Disterhoft with 19 points, five assists, and five rebounds, and sophomore Whitney Jennings with 13 points and five rebounds. The Colonials were led by 6-foot-4 senior Jonquel Jones with 23 points and 26 rebounds.
Iowa shot 43 percent from the field for the game (26-of-60) and 83 percent from the line (20-of-24). The Hawkeyes led twice in the second overtime: 71-69 on a field goal by Jennings and 73-71 on two free throws from Coley.
Coley broke a 32-32 tie when she drained the first 3-point field goal attempt of her career at the first-half buzzer. Scoring balance allowed the Hawkeyes to grab a 35-32 lead at halftime. Seven UI players scored between two and eight points, led by Jennings, who was 3-of-4 from the field (2-of-3 from 3-point) for eight points. The Hawkeyes shot 52 percent from the field (13-of-25) and 50 percent from 3-point (4-of-8).
Iowa’s defense limited George Washington to 36-percent shooting from the field after 20 minutes (13-of-36). The Colonials held a 21-14 edge in rebounding.
The Hawkeyes return to action Saturday for their final game of the Lone Star Showcase against Houston (1-4). The game is scheduled tip off at 11 a.m. (CT). The Cougars are 0-2 in the tournament, falling to George Washington (82-78) and Wright State (75-61).
