Hawks host SDSU in non-conference finale

IOWA CITY - Tuesday is the final dress rehearsal for the University of Iowa women's basketball team.

The Hawkeyes (6-5) hope to build some momentum for the Big Ten season when they host South Dakota State (5-5).

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 73-61 win over Drake. The Hawkeyes trailed by eight points early in the second half, but outscored the Bulldogs, 42-22, the rest of the way.

"The last 16 minutes were very good," said Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder. "We really changed our attitude defensively."

Injuries and other circumstances cut the active roster to as low as seven players earlier in the season, but 10 played Sunday.

Kachine Alexander was effective in a reserve role, counting eight points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. Hannah Draxten logged 13 minutes, hitting a pair of critical 3-pointers and scoring eight points.

"I feel like we're a family again," Bluder said.

SDSU has made a fast impact in its brief existence as a Division-I program. The Jackrabbits were 32-3 last year, won the Summit League championship, were ranked as high as No. 14 nationally and very nearly made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Solon native Katie Miller Falco is an assistant coach. Deb Remmerde, who signed at Iowa, then left and became a record-setting shooter at Northwestern College, is a graduate assistant.

The Hawkeyes, who dropped their Big Ten opener to Michigan on Dec. 6, resume league play for good Sunday at Penn State.

South Dakota State (5-5) at Iowa (6-5)

Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Radio: WMT-AM (600), KXIC-AM (800)

Scouting report: Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 73-61 win over Drake. The Hawkeyes rallied from an eight-point second-half deficit, outscoring the Bulldogs 42-22 through the final 16 minutes. Jaime Printy scored a career-high 22 points and Kachine Alexander played her first game in over a month, logging 15 minutes and registering eight points and six rebounds. SDSU is in its sixth season as a Division-I program. The Jackrabbits were 32-3 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. SDSU lost the last time out, 62-58, at Utah. Maria Boever leads the team at 14.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Next for Iowa: At Penn State, 6 p.m. Sunday