Iowa women’s basketball coasts past Southern, setting up a memorable Sunday

IOWA CITY — Not much flow. Not much rhythm.

And yet, Lisa Bluder has made her way to the doorstep of a quite exclusive club.

Eighth-ranked Iowa feasted from the foul line and coasted past Southern University, 87-67, in a choppy women’s basketball game in front of 5,406 Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“There was no rhythm to the game,” Bluder said. “The team had to score in transition or get fouled and go to the line and score.”

Iowa (4-0) did plenty of the latter, connecting on 33 of 38 free throws.

“It was hard to get into a flow and get settled in,” said Caitlin Clark, who posted the second triple-double of her career: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists.

The sophomore All-American made just 2 of 9 shots from the floor, but nailed 11 of 12 free throws.

“When you’re not shooting well, it’s important to find other ways to impact the game,” said Clark, who also committed six turnovers.

Wednesday’s outcome leaves Bluder one win away from the 800-victory plateau. The Hawkeyes host Drake at 2 p.m. Sunday.

When Bluder reaches the milestone, she will be one of 14 Division-I women’s basketball coaches at that level, including one of six active coaches.

“It’s going to happen, even if it doesn’t happen Sunday,” Bluder said.

Clark turned her head and looked in Bluder’s eyes: “No, you’re going to get it Sunday.”

Bluder is in her 38th year of coaching, and owns a 799-376 overall record, including 443-234 in 22 years at Iowa.

Prior to her arrival in Iowa City, Bluder posted a 187-106 mark at Drake, 169-36 at St. Ambrose before that.

The Hawkeyes were 5 of 6 from the floor through the first 4 1/2 minutes, swishing all four of their 3-point attempts on their way to a 17-5 lead.

But other than the first few minutes — and all of those free throws — this wasn’t an elite performance.

It was 55-37 at halftime, and the teams basically traded baskets the rest of the way. Southern (0-3) had shot 23 percent through its first two games and averaged five turnovers to each assist, but there wasn’t really a knockout punch from the Hawkeyes.

Needing a rebound and an assist for the triple-double, Clark got the assist with 3:55 remaining, snagged the rebound at the defensive end 20 seconds later, and exited for good.

“Triple-doubles are really special,” Bluder said. “Especially to get it in 29 minutes of play.”

Monika Czinano matched Clark for the team scoring lead with 16 points. McKenna Warnock added 15 points (eight in the first 4 minutes) and 11 rebounds.

“When you see that first shot go down, it always helps,” Warnock said.

The Hawkeyes had one offensive rebound in the first half, and finished with 13.

“Coach was hard on us at halftime, like she should be,” Warnock said.

Tomi Taiwo scored 12 points off the bench, Sydney Affolter and Kylie Feuerbach eight apiece.

“I was a little cold coming off the bench,” Taiwo said. “Caitlin found me on my first 3. When I saw the way the defense was playing, I wanted to go out there and attack it.”

Iowa 87, Southern University 67

At Iowa City

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (67): Taneara Moore 1-2 0-0 2, Raven White 0-0 0-2 0, Kayla Watson 4-18 3-3 12, Nakia Kincey 4-10 0-0 10, Tyneisha Melcalf 2-5 0-0 4, Chloe Fleming 2-5 1-2 5, Genovea Johnson 6-12 7-9 19, Tionna Lidge 1-3 0-0 2, Aleighyah Fontenot 3-8 0-0 8, Jordan Aikens 1-7 0-0 3, Zaria Harleaux 1-1 0-0 2, Cabria Lee 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-71 11-16 67.

IOWA (87): McKenna Warnock 5-8 3-4 15, Monika Czinano 6-8 4-5 16, Kate Martin 1-4 3-4 5, Caitlin Clark 2-9 11-12 16, Gabbie Marshall 1-2 4-4 7, Tomi Taiwo 4-7 2-3 12, Logan Cook 0-1 0-0 0, Kylie Feuerbach 3-4 2-2 8, Sydney Affolter 2-6 4-4 8, Addison O’Grady 0-3 0-0 0, A.J. Ediger 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-52 33-38 87.

Halftime: Iowa 55, Southern 37. 3-point goals: Southern 6-26 (Watson 1-6, Kincey 2-6, Fleming 0-1, Fontenot 2-6, Aikens 1-7), Iowa 6-23 (Warnock 2-3, Martin 0-3, Clark 1-6, Marshall 1-2, Taiwo 2-3, Cook 0-1, Feuerbach 0-1, Affolter 0-1, O’Grady 0-3). Team fouls: Southern 29, Iowa 17. Fouled out: Watson. Rebounds: Southern 31 (Harlwaux 6), Iowa 49 (Warnock 11). Assists: Southern 9 (Fleming 4), Iowa 19 (Clark 10). Steals: Southern 11 (Johnson 3), Iowa 6 (Clark 3). Turnovers: Southern 11, Iowa 18.

Attendance: 5,406.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com