Iowa Hosts No. 3 Maryland on Saturday

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THE SETTING
The University of Iowa women’s basketball team continues Big Ten action this weekend, hosting Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 14. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. (CT) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for youth ages 18 and younger. 

WATCH/LISTEN

• Saturday’s contest will air live on BTN. Dean Linke and Brenda VanLengen will have the call from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Links can be found on the Iowa women’s basketball schedule page on hawkeyesports.com. 
• Rob Brooks and Jamie Cavey Lang will have the call on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Links to the broadcast are available on the women’s basketball schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.

PROMOTIONS

• Saturday is a “white out” as all fans are encouraged to wear white. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free women’s basketball whiteout t-shirt. 

SCOUTING MARYLAND

• Maryland enters Saturday’s matchup with a 16-1 overall record and a 4-0 mark in league play. 
• The Terrapins are ranked No. 3 in both the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll. 
• Maryland’s only loss on the season came to top-ranked Connecticut (81-87) on Dec. 29 in College Park, Maryland. 
• Senior center Brionna Jones leads the team in both scoring (19.2) and rebounding (10.5). Senior guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (16.6) and freshman guard Destiny Slocum (11.4) are also averaging double figures in scoring for the Terps. 
• Maryland ranks second in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.509) and scoring margin (+30.3), third in assists (352), scoring offense (90.4) and win-loss percentage (.941), fourth in assists per game (20.7), and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (1.41), rebounds per game (46.8), and steals (212). 
• Jones ranks third in the NCAA with 11 double-doubles on the season. She’s also ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.687), sixth in field goals made (134), and eighth in offensive rebounds per game (5) and rebounds (178). 

THE SERIES

• Maryland leads the all-time series, 3-1. 
• Maryland defeated Iowa twice last season. The Terps topped the Hawkeyes, 76-56, in Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 10 before winning, 75-55, at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis on March 4. 
• Iowa’s lone win in the series came in the 1992-93 season. The Hawkeyes defeated fourth-ranked Maryland, 53-50, in College Park on Dec. 6, 1992. 

ELITE COMPANY

• Gustafson leads the Hawkeyes in both points per game (17.6) and rebounds per game (10.2). 
• The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native is 1-of-6 student-athletes in the nation that average 17.6 or more points and 10.2 or more rebounds per game. Four of those six athletes are from the Big Ten (Nia Coffey-NW, Brionna Jones-MD, Jessica Shepard-NEB, and Megan Gustafson-IOWA). 
• Gustafson is 1-of-27 NCAA Division I student-athletes that average a double-double. 

MARGIN OF VICTORY 

• Iowa has won by 20 or more points seven times this season, including wins against Oral Roberts (96-76), Hampton (84-51), Massachusetts (71-30), Northern Iowa (88-39), Robert Morris (81-60), Kent State (83-48) and Illinois (78-58).
• The Hawkeyes are averaging 76.2 points per game and holding their opponents to 63.8 (+12.4). 

UNSELFISH BASKETBALL 

• The Hawkeyes rank third in the Big Ten and 12th nationally in assists (309). 
• Iowa also ranks second in the conference and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (18.2).
• Seven Hawkeyes have dished out 20 or more assists on the season. Sophomore Tania Davis leads the team with 70. She is joined by freshman Kathleen Doyle (62), senior Ally Disterhoft (45), freshmen Makenzie Meyer (28) and Bre Cera (22), junior Chase Coley (21) and senior Alexa Kastanek (20). 

I’LL TAKE THAT, PLEASE

• Freshman Kathleen Doyle leads the team with 36 steals on the season. 
• The LaGrange Park, Illinois, native is tied for fifth in the Big Ten Conference, averaging 2.1 steals per game. 
• In four conference games this season, Doyle is averaging 2.8 steals — the second-highest total in the Big Ten. 
• Doyle’s 2.1 steals per game average is the highest among all Big Ten freshmen. 

DYNAMIC DUO

• Sophomore Megan Gustafson has scored in double figures in every game this season, while senior Ally Disterhoft has netted double digits in 16-of-17 games. 
• Gustafson has netted 20 or more points nine times this year, while Disterhoft has accomplished the feat four times. Both Hawkeyes have scored 20 or more points in games against Oral Roberts, James Madison, and Drake. 
• Together, the pair averages 33.9 points per game.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE

• Sophomore Megan Gustafson registered the 18th double-double of her career against Illinois on Jan. 12. It was her ninth double-double of the season.
• Gustafson is one of 20 NCAA student-athletes to record nine or more double-doubles this season. 
• Gustafson has led Iowa in boards in 16-of-17 games this season. 
• Gustafson has netted 20 or more points in each of the last six games. 
• The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native ranks sixth nationally in field goal percentage (.665), ninth in field goals made (125), 12th in rebounds (174), 14th in double-doubles (9), 24th in rebounds per game (10.2), and 27th in defensive rebounds per game (7). 

MOVIN’ ON UP 

• Senior Ally Disterhoft now ranks fifth on Iowa’s all-time career scoring list. 
• Disterhoft has 1,819 career points and is 240 points from tying Iowa’s all-time scoring record of 2,059 set by Cindy Haugejorde (1976-80). 
• The Iowa City, Iowa, native needs just two points to tie former Hawkeyes Michelle Edwards (1984-88) and move into fourth-place on the all-time list. 
• Disterhoft also ranks ninth all-time in 3-point field goals (140), 13th in career blocks (62), and 13th in rebounds (702). 

FAST FACTS 

• The Hawkeyes are 11-0 when leading at the half. 
• Iowa is 11-0 when scoring 70 points or more. 
• Sophomore Megan Gustafson is 1-of-6 student-athletes in the nation that average 17.6 or more points and 10.2 or more rebounds per game. 
• Gustafson is 1-of-27 NCAA Division I athletes that average a double-double. 
• The Hawkeyes rank 15th nationally in total attendance (45,616). 

IN THE POLLS

• Two Big Ten teams are included in the week 10 (Jan. 9) Associated Press Top 25. They include: No. 3 Maryland and No. 11 Ohio State. 
• Maryland (No. 3) and Ohio State (No. 11) are also included in the week 10 USA TODAY Coaches Poll (Jan. 10). Michigan (8), Michigan State (7), and Northwestern (3) are receiving votes. 

AROUND THE NATION

• The Hawkeyes rank 12th nationally with 209 assists on the season. Iowa’s 18.2 assists per game ranks 13th. 
• Iowa also ranks 13th in field goal percentage (.471), 17th in defensive rebounds per game (30), and 23rd in rebounds (716). 
• Sophomore Megan Gustafson ranks sixth nationally in field goal percentage (.665), ninth in field goals made (125), 12th in rebounds (174), 14th in double-doubles (9), 24th in rebounds per game (10.2), and 27th in defensive rebounds per game (7). 
• Senior Ally Disterhoft ranks 40th nationally with a .541 field goal percentage. 

AROUND THE LEAGUE 

• Iowa leads the Big Ten Conference in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.271) and ranks second in field goal percentage defense (.362). 
• The Hawkeyes also rank second in assists (18.2), third in defensive rebounds (30.0), and fourth in field goal percentage (.471). 
• Two Hawkeyes rank within the top-10 in field goal percentage. They include: Megan Gustafson (.665; 2nd) and Ally Disterhoft (.541; 7th). 
• Gustafson ranks second in the league in field goal percentage (.665) and offensive rebounds (3.5), third in defensive rebounds (6.7), fourth in rebounding (10.2), seventh in blocked shots (1.5), and 10th in scoring (17.6).
• Sophomore Tania Davis is shooting .875 from the free throw line — the fourth-highest total in the conference. She also ranks 12th in assists, averaging 4.1 per game. 
• Freshman Kathleen Doyle is tied for fifth in the conference in steals (2.1). 
• Disterhoft ranks seventh in field goal percentage (.541) and 13th in scoring (16.3). 

CALL ON ME

• Senior Ally Disterhoft has netted double figures in 94 of her 101 career starts, including 49 of her last 50 games. 
• The Iowa City, Iowa, native has started 101 consecutive games and appeared in every game of her Hawkeye career (119). 
• Disterhoft has 1,819 career points and is 240 points from tying Iowa’s all-time scoring record of 2,059 set by Cindy Haugejorde (1976-80). 
• Disterhoft has registered 20 or more points in four games this season. 
• Last season, Disterhoft became the program’s highest scoring junior, netting 565 points to break Michelle Edwards’ record of 564 points in 1986-87. 

GUSTAFSON EARNS 2ND STRAIGHT B1G HONOR ROLL PLAUDIT

• For the second straight week, sophomore Megan Gustafson was named to the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Honor Roll, the conference office announced Jan. 2. It marked the fourth weekly honor of Gustafson’s career and her third of the season.
• Gustafson averaged 21.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in a pair of Big Ten Conference games against Illinois and Nebraska last week.
• She led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 7-of-12 (.583) from the field at Illinois. Gustafson pulled down 13 boards (6 offensive) to register her eighth double-double of the season. She also dished out three assists and went 7-for-8 from the free throw line against the Illini.
• The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native recorded a team-high 22 points and a team-leading nine rebounds to lead Iowa to its first Big Ten victory of the season. She shot an impressive .750 from the field (9-for-12) and added two blocks and a pair of steals.
• On the season, Gustafson is averaging 17.5 points and 9.9 rebounds. She’s shooting .669 (117-of-175) from the field — a mark that ranks second in the Big Ten and sixth nationally. 
• Gustafson earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades on Nov. 14 before being named to the Honor Roll on Dec. 26. She garnered Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 22, 2016. 

DOUBLE THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE

• Sophomore Megan Gustafson and senior Ally Disterhoft each registered double-doubles against Illinois on Dec. 28. 
• Gustafson led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed a game-high 13 boards to register her eighth double-double of the season and the 17th of her career. 
• Disterhoft netted 11 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. It marked her first double-double of the season and the seventh of her career. 

RUNNIN’ RUNNIN’

• Down 11-2 in the first quarter to Kent State, the Hawkeyes used a 40-5 run over a 12-minute span to ultimately defeat Kent State, 83-48, on Dec. 20. 
• Iowa made 12-of-18 field goals in the second quarter and held Kent State to 3-of-16 shooting. Iowa also dominated the boards in the second frame, 18-3. 
• Megan Gustafson (20 points), Ally Disterhoft (18 points), and Makenzie Meyer (12 points) all scored in double figures for the Hawkeyes. 
• Junior Christina Buttenham registered her first career start in the contest. She netted five points and pulled-down a career-high six boards in 18 minutes of action. 

HISTORICALLY GOOD DEFENSE

• The Hawkeyes held Massachusetts to just 30 points in the first game of the Hawkeye Challenge on Nov. 19, tying a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for fewest points allowed. It also marked the second-fewest points allowed in the Big Ten this season (27, Purdue vs. North Carolina Central). 
• Iowa held the Minutewomen to just 10 first half points, breaking a program record for fewest points allowed in a first half. 
• The Hawkeyes allowed just 39 points against UNI on Dec. 4. It marked the second time this season Iowa has held an opponent to under 40 points. 

DAVIS NAMED MADNESS B1G PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

• Sophomore Tania Davis was named the Madness Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, College Sports Madness announced Dec.12. 
• Davis averaged a team-high 18.5 points, shot .526 from the field (10-of-19), .600 from 3-point range (6-for-10) and a perfect 1.000 (11-for-11) from the free throw line to lead Iowa to a pair of wins over Iowa State and Robert Morris. 
• The Flint, Michigan, native registered career highs in points (23), 3-pointers made (5) and field goals made (7) to guide the Hawkeyes past in-state rival Iowa State (88-76) on Wednesday. 
• Two days later, Davis netted 14 points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe to help the Hawkeyes to an 81-60 win over Robert Morris. 

GUSTAFSON NAMED B1G PLAYER OF THE WEEK

• Center/forward Megan Gustafson was named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference office announced Nov. 14.  It is the second weekly honor of Gustafson’s career. 
• The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native posted back-to-back double-doubles to lead Iowa to wins overall Oral Roberts and Hampton on Nov. 11 and 13. The sophomore tied a career high in points (25) and recorded 12 rebounds, an assist and a block in 26 minutes of action against Oral Roberts on Nov. 11. Two days later, Gustafson netted 14 points and pulled down 11 boards to lead the Hawkeyes past Hampton. She also went a combined 7-for-8 from the free throw line.
• Gustafson earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 22, 2016. She is the first Hawkeye to win Big Ten Player of the Week since Samantha Logic won the award on March 2, 2015.  

DISTERHOFT EARNS PRESEASON HONOR 
Senior Ally Disterhoft was named Preseason All-Big Ten by the coaches and media, the Big Ten Conference announced Oct. 24. The Iowa City, Iowa, native was a second team All-Big Ten selection in 2015 and 2016 and an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree in 2014. She was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Big Ten All-Tournament team in 2014. 

HAWKEYES CONTINUE POSTSEASON STREAK

• Iowa made its ninth straight postseason appearance (8 NCAA, 1 WNIT) with an at-large bid to the WNIT in 2016.
• Iowa was one of six Big Ten Conference teams (Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Rutgers) and one of three teams from Iowa (Drake, UNI) to be included in the WNIT field of 64.

RETURNING EXPERIENCE

• Iowa returns four of its five starters from last season in senior Ally Disterhoft, junior Chase Coley, and sophomores Tania Davis, and Megan Gustafson. 
• Senior Ally Disterhoft garnered second team All-Big Ten accolades by coaches and media for the second consecutive season and received Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award. The preseason All-Big Ten pick by coaches and media scored in double figures in every game last season and in 78 of her 84 consecutive starts. 
• Tania Davis and Megan Gustafson were named to the 2016 Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
• Davis was one of two Big Ten freshmen to lead her team in assists per game (3.4) and average at least one steal per game (1.2) last season. She has dished out 111 assists in 33 games played, the second-highest total recorded by a freshman at Iowa (Samantha Logic; 136). 
• Gustafson was the only freshman and one of three players in the conference overall to lead her team in field goal percentage (.554), rebounds (225), and blocks (58) last season. 
• Chase Coley averaged 11.1 points per game last season — the second highest mark on the team. The junior compiled 365 points, 194 rebounds, 53 assists, 37 blocks, and 24 steals in her sophomore campaign to receive Iowa’s Most Improved Award. 

QUALITY YOUTH
Iowa’s freshman class was ranked No. 7 nationally by Blue Star — the highest ranked recruiting class for head coach Lisa Bluder and her staff. 
Iowa’s freshmen class consists of Bre Cera (2016 Journal Sentinel Player of the Year), Kathleen Doyle (Illinois Miss Basketball), Makenzie Meyer (Iowa Miss Basketball), Amanda Ollinger (2016 Gazette Female Athlete of the Year), and Alexis Sevellian (finalist for Michigan Miss Basketball). 

THE BLUDER FILE

• Head coach Lisa Bluder begins her 17th season at the helm of the Iowa women’s basketball program this season. She owns a 334-194 (.633) overall record and a 162-108 Big Ten record at Iowa. In her 32 seasons as a head coach, Bluder is 690-336 (.673).
• Bluder is one of 14 active Division I coaches to collect 675 or more career wins.
• The head Hawkeye is second in career Big Ten wins (162) and in total wins among Big Ten coaches. She trails only C. Vivian Stringer who has compiled 189 Big Ten wins and 971 career wins.
• Bluder ranks third all-time among all Big Ten coaches with 162 conference victories.

IOWAWBB.COM 
Check out the Iowa women’s basketball team’s website, iowawbb.com, devoted to everything on and off the court surrounding the program. Iowawbb.com allows fans to go behind the scenes with the Hawkeye basketball program. The site is complete with exclusive videos, photo galleries, and content featuring the basketball program. 

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes travel to Rutgers on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. (CT) in Piscataway, New Jersey.