Hawks return home, hope to end slide

IOWA CITY - It's pretty simple, really.

If the Iowa Hawkeyes can stay perfect at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, there's a good chance they'll get some bonus home games in late March.

The finish line is in sight for the 16th-ranked Hawkeyes (21-6 overall, 12-4 Big Ten), who wrap up their women's basketball regular season this week.

'It's nice. Now we get to unpack our suitcases,” said Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder, whose club hosts Wisconsin on Thursday (tipoff is 7 p.m.), then finishes up against Minnesota on Sunday.

The Hawkeyes are trying to end a two-game losing streak, their only stretch of consecutive losses this season. They gave up 93 points to Minnesota, then 100 to Ohio State.

'They weren't bad losses, but they were games we felt we could have won,” said senior guard Samantha Logic. 'We're itching to get back home.”

Carver has been a safe, cozy haven all season. Iowa is 14-0 at home. The Hawkeyes are shooting for their fifth undefeated home slate, their first since 1995-96.

The opponent should provide some comfort, as well: Iowa has won the last 14 meetings against Wisconsin (8-18, 4-12), including an 87-75 win in Madison on Feb. 8.

If the Hawkeyes can win twice this week, it would guarantee second place in the Big Ten - they're a game ahead of Northwestern, Rutgers and Ohio State, and own the tie-breaker on the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights.

It also would enhance their opportunity for a top-four seed in the NCAA tournament, which would mean home-court advantage in the first two rounds.

Bluder remains one win away from her 300th at Iowa. She is 299-172 in 15 seasons in Iowa City.

Melissa Dixon remains in a tight duel with Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell in the nation's 3-point race. Mitchell is averaging 3.71 treys per game, Dixon 3.70.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com