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By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Alexis Sevillian is quickly figuring out this college basketball thing.
Sevillian took charge early in her second start of the fourth game of her redshirt freshman season, scoring seven of Iowa’s first 11 points during a 79-56 victory Sunday over Western Michigan on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. She poured in a game-high 14 points by halftime and finished with 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 35 minutes. The assist and playing time totals were game-highs.
“We took what the defense gave us, our teammates found us for open shots and we did a great job knocking the shots down,” Sevillian said. “It feels good to know my coaches and teammates believe in me. That gives me confidence.”
Sevillian is a native of Goodrich, Michigan, located a little more than two hours from Western Michigan’s campus.
“It’s exciting for me to get my first win over a Michigan school,” Sevillian said. “It’s a reminder why I chose Iowa over any other school.”
The point and assist totals were career highs for Sevillian, who scored in double figures for a fourth consecutive game and averages 14 points per game.
Iowa is 4-0 overall, Western Michigan falls to 2-2.
The Hawkeyes shot 44.6 percent from the field and made 11 of 26 3-point field goals. Sophomore Makenzie Meyer converted 8 of 12 field goals (5 of 8 from 3-point) and finished with a game-high 21 points.
“We played unselfish basketball,” Meyer said. “We’re sharing the ball well and when I got the open looks, I took the shot.”
Iowa put four players in double figures: Meyer, Sevilllian, junior Megan Gustafson (15), and junior Tania Davis (10). It was the fourth straight double-double for Gustafson and the 31st of her career.
Iowa led by as many as 32 points (66-34) after a layup by junior Hannah Stewart late in the third quarter.
Sophomore point guard Kathleen Doyle missed her second straight game with an ankle injury.
QUOTING COACH LISA BLUDER
“I like the way we shot the 3 today (11 of 26). It’s the first time we have played against a significant amount of zone and I thought we responded well. We still pushed well; (Western Michigan) was trying to slow the game down to begin with.”
STATISTIC OF THE GAME
Iowa had 24 assists on 29 made field goals and turned the ball over a season-low eight times.
“We try to get that mentality of passing up a good shot for a great shot,” Bluder said. “They buy into the team basketball. It was nice to see only eight turnovers, we’re always working on that.”
TAKING THOSE FREE POINTS
Iowa made 10 of 12 free throws, which actually lowered its season percentage to 91.5. Entering the game, the Hawkeyes were 55 of 59 from the free throw line for 93.2 percent. That was the best in NCAA Division I.
GAME NOTES
- Sophomore Amanda Ollinger recorded a career-high nine rebounds.
- Stewart registered a career-high four steals.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes play three games at the Puerto Rico Challenge from Nov. 22-25 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Iowa opens against Morgan State (2-2) on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 12:30 p.m. (CT).
