Up again, down again: Hawkeyes host Penn State

IOWA CITY -- This one-step-forward, one-step-back business began at Penn State.

It was the Big Ten women's basketball opener for Iowa, Dec. 30 at State College, Pa. The Hawkeyes were 12-1, enjoying the highest national rating of the 11-year Lisa Bluder Era and feeling groovy.

They were on the verge of a big road win, then let it get away.

Penn State outscored the Hawkeyes 20-4 down the stretch and won the game, 69-58.

"We played very well for 36-38 minutes," Kachine Alexander recalled. "The last four minutes, we just went to sleep. We didn't execute down the stretch."

At the time, it was an opportunity lost. Now, it's indicative of where both teams stand in the Big Ten.

Penn State (19-5, 8-2) leads the race, a half-game ahead of Michigan State. The Lady Lions aren't yet ranked, but should be.

"Every day in the Big Ten, there's a surprise. But it can't be a surprise on who's on top," Alexander said. "It's not a mistake, and it's not a fluke."

No. 20 Iowa (17-6, 5-5), meanwhile, figured to be smack-dab in the middle of the race. Instead the Hawkeyes are smack-dab in the middle of the standings in sixth place as they prepare to host the Lady Lions on Sunday.

Tipoff is 2 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

One step forward, one step back. And the last step back was an all-out stumble.

The Hawkeyes shot a brutal 22 percent (12 of 55) from the field in a 60-41 loss at Purdue, their 11th straight defeat at Mackey Arena.

Against Penn State, they'll face a team for which preparation is difficult.

"They play a style different than anyone else in the Big Ten," Bluder said. "They will show a variety of full-court presses. They are explosive offensively."

Maggie Lucas leads the Lady Lions at 16.7 points per game. Penn State shoots 44.9 percent from 3-point distance.

Four Hawkeyes are averaging in double figures, led by Jaime Printy (15.4 ppg).

Big Ten standings

Conf.

All

Penn State

8-2

19-5

Michigan State

7-2

19-3

Wisconsin

7-3

12-10

Purdue

6-4

15-7

Michigan

6-4

13-9

Iowa

5-5

17-6

Ohio State

4-5

13-8

Northwestern

4-6

15-8

Minnesota

3-7

11-12

Indiana

2-8

8-14

Illinois

2-8

7-16

Sunday's Games

Penn State at Iowa, 2 p.m.

Illinois at Michigan

Wisconsin at Indiana

Purdue at Michigan State

Northwestern at Ohio State