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By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Two days, two games, two wins.
The University of Iowa women’s basketball team returned to the court at the Puerto Rico Clasico on Thursday, less than 20 hours after defeating Cincinnati. The Hawkeyes didn’t show signs of weary legs as they raced to a 12-point halftime lead and defeated Towson, 100-72, in Coliseo Mario Morales.
Iowa improved to 5-1, Towson is 2-4.
Senior guard Makenzie Meyer set a career-high with 29 points, making 11 of 15 field goals and 5 of 7 from 3-point range. Three other Hawkeyes joined her with double-figure points: sophomore center Monika Czinano (12), freshman forward McKenna Warnock (11), and freshman guard Gabbie Marshall (11).
“I’m happy for Makenzie,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said. “She shot the ball well and from different areas. She shot the ball well from 3, but also attacked the glass and had nice back-door cuts.”
Nine Hawkeyes played at least nine minutes.
Iowa won the rebounding battle, 41-33, and collected 13 offensive rebounds a day after grabbing seven. Czinano and freshman guard Kate Martin both had seven rebounds. Martin also led the team with four assists.
In the second half, the Hawkeyes made 22 of 33 field goals (67 percent) and outscored Towson, 59-43, over the final 20 minutes.
Iowa led 41-29 at halftime, including an 18-8 edge in paint points (Iowa finished with 48 points in the paint) and a 13-4 advantage off the bench (Iowa finished with 27 points off the bench). Meyer led the Hawkeyes with 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting from the field; Czinano added nine points and five rebounds. Senior forward Amanda Ollinger was a defensive force with five rebounds and three blocked shots.
Nukiya Mayo led Towson with 22 points with four assists.
QUOTING COACH BLUDER
“I was happy we had almost nine people in double figure minutes. When your’re playing three games in four days, it is nice to be able to give kids some rest. That will help us hopefully prepare for Washington on Saturday.”
STATISTIC OF THE GAME
One day after shooting 46 percent against Cincinnati, the Hawkeyes shot 56 percent against Towson, making 36 of 64 field goals. Iowa was 10 of 23 from 3-point range.
WORTH NOTING
Thirteen Hawkeyes saw action in the game and 10 scored points.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will take Friday off before returning to action Saturday against Washington with tip-off at 11 a.m. (CT). The matchup against the Huskies will be Iowa’s third and final game at the Puerto Rico Clasico.
Washington (4-1) defeated Iona, 65-34, on Thursday and plays Howard on Friday.
