Logic delivers at the end for Hawkeyes

STRAKONICE, Czech Republic -- Freshman Samantha Logic didn't waste any time making an impact as a Hawkeye.

The freshman from Racine, Wis., nailed a jumper in the paint with 5.2 seconds remaining to give the Iowa women's basketball team a 75-73 win over the BC Strakonice Czech Republic club team Thursday. 

Logic finished the game with a double-double, netting 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, along with three assists and three steals. She helped push the Hawkeyes past one of the top club teams in the Czech Republic.  BC Strakonice placed second in the top Czech Republic basketball division last season and played for league championship.

In a back-and-forth game that saw nearly 30 lead changes, Logic grabbed an offensive rebound and hit Jaime Printy for a layup with 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter that put the Hawkeyes ahead, 69-68.  Logic crashed the glass on the next defensive possession, which led to a Printy three-pointer with 1:22 left for a 73-68 advantage. 

BC Strakonice battled back with a three-pointer, followed by a layup with 20.3 left on the clock to tie the game.

After an Iowa timeout, Kamille Wahlin brought the ball up the court and ran the clock to 12 seconds.  Wahlin drove the lane and kicked to Kelly Krei in the corner.  Krei then passed to Logic on the wing just inside the three-point line and she drove inside the lane, elevated and drained a jumper to give the Hawkeyes a two-point lead with just over five seconds left.

BC Strakonice's final three-point attempt was well short, giving Iowa the win.

“I'm really proud of how we battled tonight,” Head Coach Lisa Bluder said.  “This was the first game for these players together as a team.  It took us a little bit to adjust to the physical style and the differences in European basketball, but we made great adjustments in the second half to get the win.”

Bluder was pleased with her team's play, especially in the fourth quarter.

“We trailed by six points with less than three minutes to play and got the win,” Bluder said.  “The team is a little tired from traveling and sightseeing, but hung around and did what it took to win.  Sam Logic had an incredible finish to the game.  She was everywhere for us in that fourth quarter.”

Logic was excited to get a win in her first game as a Hawkeye and doesn't really care she hit the game-winner.  She just wanted the victory.

“A win is a win,” Logic said.  “At the end, Iowa has more points than whoever we played.  That's all that matters.”

Printy led Iowa with 20 points and added five rebounds and four steals.  Krei chipped in 13 points, five rebounds and two steals.  All 11 players that saw action Thursday night scored.

Iowa will leave Prague Friday morning for Bratislava, Slovakia.  The Hawkeyes will play their next game Saturday night in Bratislava.