Spring in their steps, Hawks chase 2nd straight

IOWA CITY - One win? Or was it more than that?

“For one win, it felt pretty darn good,” Coach Lisa Bluder said after the University of Iowa women's basketball team broke a four-game losing streak with a 74-65 triumph Thursday night at Illinois.

“We haven't felt this good in a while. I'm happy for the players. It puts a lot more spring in their step.”

Now the Hawkeyes (9-10 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) aim to put together consecutive victories for the first time since late December when they play Northwestern (12-7, 3-5) at 4 p.m. today in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

It's another encounter with a quality post. Six-foot-5 junior Amy Jaeschke leads the Wildcats at 15.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.

“We have so many good posts in the Big Ten, and Jaeschke certainly ranks among them,” Bluder said. “She's 6-5, and she's a bulky 6-5.”

Jaeschke will be matched up against freshman Morgan Johnson, who held her own against Illinois' Jenna Smith.

Smith scored 23 points, but none in the final 12 minutes. And Johnson broke out of an offensive funk, registering 11 points of her own.

“I really hope it's (the start of a turnaround),” Bluder said. “Her defense has always been there. Morgan won't back down from anybody.”

Marion native Jaime Printy continues to shine. She scored 22 points at Illinois and has taken the team lead in scoring at 14.5 points per game.