Hawkeyes trample Florida Gulf Coast for Lisa Bluder’s 500th win at Iowa

Note: This story was generated in Cedar Rapids.

No. 5 Iowa hit a school-record 20 3-pointers in 33 attempts and blasted Florida Gulf Coast, 100-62, in a semifinal at the Gulf Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament Saturday night at Estero, Fla.

The win was the 500th at Iowa for Coach Lisa Bluder, who sports a 500-250 mark in 24 years with the Hawkeyes.

Six different Hawkeyes converted from long range, led by Taylor McCabe (6 of 7).

Caitlin Clark registered 21 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead the Hawkeyes (6-1). McCabe scored 18 points, followed by Gabbie Marshall and Sydney Affolter (12 apiece).

The Hawkeyes were without Hannah Stuelke, a sophomore from Cedar Rapids and the team’s second-leading scorer (12.7 ppg).

Stuelke was injured late in the Hawkeyes’ quarterfinal win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday. She had been listed as “questionable” in the Big Ten’s availability portal earlier in the day.

The Hawkeyes will face No. 16 Kansas State (6-0) in the final at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The Wildcats got past No. 18 North Carolina, 63-56, in their semifinal.

K-State defeated the Hawkeyes, 65-58, Nov. 16 at Iowa City.

Iowa jumped to a 26-8 lead after a quarter. It was 55-19 at halftime.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com