Second-half surge sends Hawkeyes past K-State

IOWA CITY -- Halftime adjustments didn't entail X's and O's.

Instead, they involved heads and hearts.

No. 18 Iowa shot 64 percent in the second half and downed Kansas State, 68-62, in a Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge women's basketball game Sunday afternoon in front of an announced crowd of 7,641 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

"The first half was very lackluster. We didn't play with a lot of emotion," said Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder. "We came out after halftime, looking like a different basketball team. We played with a lot more emotion, aggression and assertiveness."

So now, after splitting "Challenge" games -- Iowa lost to North Carolina in an ACC/Big Ten matchup Thursday -- the Hawkeyes' focus shifts to Iowa State.

Iowa (8-1) hosts the 19th-rated Cyclones (6-1) Thursday. Unless something drastically unexpected happens in Monday's Associated Press poll, it will mark the first time the intrastate rivals face each other as ranked teams.

Bluder wasn't going to savor Sunday's win for a day. Not an hour.

"It's starts now," she said, in reference to preparation for the Cyclones.

The Hawkeyes proved Sunday that they're more than a bunch of 3-point gunners. After hoisting a school-record 37 long-range attempts at North Carolina, Iowa was more reliant on a driving game against K-State (6-1).

"We don't have to rely on the '3,' " said Jaime Printy, who took only one of them (she made it), but still led the Hawkeyes with 20 points. "This gives other teams another outlook. They have to stop the drive now, too."

Morgan Johnson added 13 points and played stout defense in the second half against K-State's Jalana Childs. Johnson, who blocked five shots, hails from Platte City, Mo., deep in the heart of Big 12 country.

"I followed Missouri and Kansas a little more than K-State, but to beat a Big 12 team is a big thing for me," she said.

Kachine Alexander posted 12 points, Kamille Wahlin 10. Wahlin hit four straight free throws, then Alexander made 3 of 4 to clinch the victory.

"We love to get to the line," Bluder said.

The Hawkeyes made 16 of 19 free throws Sunday.

Iowa looked safe at 63-56 when Wahlin made her first two foul shots with 51 seconds left, but the Wildcats got within 63-61 on a basket by Taelor Karr, then a steal, then a 3-pointer by Brittany Chambers with 38 seconds to go.

But free throws roadblocked any further threat.

The Hawkeyes led through most of the first half -- and held a 21-13 advantage on Printy's 3-pointer at the 5:08 mark -- before hitting a slick spot.

K-State concluded the half with a 16-4 surge to take a 29-25 lead into intermission.

"We needed a change in attitude and energy level," Bluder said.

The Hawkeyes made the shift.

Alexander's drive put Iowa in front for good at 35-34 with 15:55 to go. Back-to-back baskets by Hannah Draxten made it 43-38 with 12:10 remaining, then the teams basically traded baskets the rest of the way.

Chambers met her average with 20 points, 16 in the second half. Childs had 13 in the first half before Johnson clamped down on her late. Childs finished with 18.

"I just made sure I was moving my feet better on defense," Johnson said. "I was looking for a quicker shot."

So here come the Cyclones. ISU has won seven of 10 since Bluder has been at Iowa, including an 85-66 triumph last year at Ames.

"They're an awesome intrastate rival, a really good team," Johnson said. "I'm eager to show them what we've got."