Iowa Women’s Basketball: Puerto Rico for the Holidays

Iowa (4-1) continues play in the Puerto Rico Clasico on Thursday as they play Towson (2-3). After a day off on Friday, Iowa will then play Washington (3-1) on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Iowa defeated Cincinnati (3-3) 69-61 in their opening matchup in Puerto Rico. The win was Coach Lisa Bluder’s 400th win as a Hawkeye. In 20 seasons at Iowa, Bluder is now 400-218.

Against Cincinnati, Iowa overcame a slow start from the field, especially behind the three-point line, as they missed their first 11 attempts. Sophomore Monika Czinano led the way for Iowa with 16 points. Senior Kathleen Doyle chipped in with 13 points.

Iowa had 21 assists on their 28 baskets so they are sharing the ball well and moving it around. However, they gave up 18 offensive rebounds so there is still work to be done.

Upcoming

Thursday, November 28: Iowa vs. Towson @ Puerto Rico Clasico, 11:00 a.m. (cst)

Saturday, November 30: Iowa vs. Washington @ Puerto Rico Clasico, 11:00 a.m. (cst)

Scouting report from hawkeyesports.com:

• Towson is 2-3 on the season with wins over Mount St. Mary’s and American
• Towson’s played its last contest on Nov. 24 -- a 63-60 win over American.
• The Tigers will play two games in the Puerto Rico Clasico against Iowa and Iona.
• Four Tigers are averaging double figures including redshirt junior guard Kionna Jeter (16.2), senior forward Nuliya Mayo (15.6), redshirt senior guard Q. Murray (11.0), and sophomore guard Myasia Jones (10.8).
• Mayo leads the Tigers in rebounds with 8.2 per game, and is followed by Jeter with 6.4.
• As a team, Towson is averaging 69.4 points per game, while opponents are averaging 70.2.
• Diane Richardson is in her third year leading the Towson University women’s basketball program. Last season, Richardson led Towson to its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship in program history and its first NCAA Tournament berth.
• Washington is 3-1 on the season with wins over California State-Bakersfield, Weber State, and Seattle.
• The Huskies played their last contest on Nov. 23 -- a 78-46 win over Seattle.
• Washington will play three games in the Puerto Rico Clasico against Iona, Howard, and Iowa.
• The Huskies share the ball evenly with sophomores Haley Van Dyke (12.3) and Darcy Rees (10.0) averaging double figures, and senior Amber Melgoza (9.8), senior Mai-Loni Henson (9.5), junior Missy Peterson (9.0), and freshman Ali Bamberger (8.3) right behind.
• Van Dyke leads the Huskies in rebounds with 7.3 per game, and is followed by Melgoza and Henson with 5.5 each.
• Van Dyke has also recorded 15 steals on the season and only fouled once in four games.
• As a team, Washington is averaging 78.5 points per game and holding opponents to 50.0.
• Jody Wynn is in her third season as the head coach at the University of Washington. Under Wynn’s direction, the Huskies have steadily improved while rebuilding over the last two years. The 2018-19 season saw the Huskies record an 11-21 overall record, while playing the 14th-toughest schedule based on average opponent winning percentage.

Last Week’s Results

Iowa 77, Princeton 75 (OT)

An incredibly entertaining game at Carver-Hawkeye last Wednesday had Iowa overcoming a double digit halftime lead and a hail mary three pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime to defeat Princeton.

Three Hawkeyes scored in double figures led by senior Kathleen Doyle who had 21. Senior Makenzie Meyer added 19 and sophomore Monika Czinano chipped in with 10. Senior Amanda Ollinger led the way with 13 rebounds.

Stats Leader

Points Per Game: Kathleen Doyle (15.6)

Three Pointers Made: Gabbie Marshall (12)

Field Goal % (min 75% games played): Monika Czinano (82.4%)

Free Throw % (min 75% games played): Alexis Sevillian (100.0%)

Rebounds Per Game: Amanda Ollinger (8.0)

Assists: Kathleen Doyle (29)

Steals: Makenzie Meyer (7)

Blocks: Amanda Ollinger (5)