By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Thirteen played at least four minutes, 12 scored, and the University of Iowa women’s basketball team won for a 35th consecutive time on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
It was that kind of Saturday for the Hawkeyes (22-5 overall, 13-3 Big Ten), who toppled Penn State, 100-57, in front of 8,389. The size and impact of the crowd was not lost on Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder.
“It was a great home court atmosphere,” Bluder said. “I think we are building one of the best women’s basketball atmospheres in the country.”
Hawkeye fans had plenty to cheer — like 61 percent shooting in the second quarter and 60 percent in the fourth. Or a 27-8 run in the second quarter that extended a 22-18 lead to 49-26 at halftime.
“We’re doing a good job pushing the ball in transition,” Bluder said. “We had high-percentage shots, we dominated in the paint, we got offensive put-back points, which is good for us. All those things combine for high-percentage shooting.”
Iowa has now shot better than 54 percent from the field in back-to-back home wins. The Hawkeyes made 54.8 percent Sunday against Wisconsin and 54.9 percent against the Nittany Lions (39 of 71).
Sophomore center Monika Czinano led the way with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. Senior Kathleen Doyle added 18 points with seven assists and five rebounds, and senior Makenzie Meyer and freshman McKenna Warnock both had 10 points.
Junior Alexis Sevillian handed out a game-high eight assists.
Iowa was plus-14 in rebounding, with Czinano grabbing five offensive boards. Czinano (seven), Mayer (six), senior Amanda Ollinger (six), Doyle (five) and Warnock (five) all had at least five rebounds.
Junior Zion Sanders had a team-high four steals.
Kamaria McDaniel led Penn State (7-20, 1-15) with 22 points.
QUOTING COACH BLUDER
“It was a fun game with 27 assists and only 13 turnovers. We got to go to the bench and I thought we dominated from start to finish.
“At this time of year you just want to get better: take every opportunity that you are on that court and make yourself better. We’re trying to play to not only beat Penn State, but Minnesota, Rutgers, and to do well in the Big Ten Tournament and postseason play. It’s using opportunities to get better whenever you are on the floor.”
STATISTIC OF THE GAME
The eight-player Hawkeye bench scored 42 points — 39 more points than were scored by Penn State reserves. Leading the way was Warnock, followed by Gabbie Marshall with nine, and Kate Marin and Tomi Taiwo with seven apiece.
WORTH NOTING
Iowa reached 100 points for the fourth time this season and the first time since a 108-72 win over Illinois on Dec. 31.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Thursday against Minnesota on Mediacom Court in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tip-off is 6:30 p.m. (CT).
When the teams met Jan. 16 in Minneapolis, Iowa overcame a 15-point third quarter deficit to win, 76-75. The Gophers (15-11, 5-10) played Indiana at home Saturday.
PENN STATE-IOWA PHOTO GALLERY
