Alexander explodes for 42 in GTL finale

NORTH LIBERTY - Defense, rebounding and hustle endeared Kachine Alexander to fans during her basketball career at the University of Iowa.

But she knows where her improvement must lie to stick at the professional level.

“I've been working hard on making shots,” Alexander said after erupting for 42 points in the Game Time League championship game Wednesday night at the North Liberty Community Center. Alexander's team, Monica's/Bob's Your Uncle, throttled Cullen Painting/Falbo Brothers Pizza, 90-66.

Alexander, who was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA before getting released, will get a second pro opportunity this fall. She will play for the Vienna (Austria) Flying Foxes in a six-month season that begins in September.

“I don't know much about them other than that their colors are black and gold, so it works for me,” said Alexander, who was named the league MVP during halftime ceremonies.

The 42-point outing was the highest for Alexander at any level. She made 16 of 24 shots from the floor, scoring pretty much every way possible.

She scored off picks and off the dribble. She posted up defenders. She attacked the offensive glass. And she was 4 for 7 from long distance.

“I learned at Minnesota that I need to be able to pull up and hit the 3-pointers,” she said. “I think it showed today how hard I've been working.”

Alexander scored 20 points in the first half as Monica's/Bob's built a 49-26 advantage, then kept clicking along. She didn't spend much time on the bench; her team had only six players available.

UNI's Mercedees Morgan added 14 points for the winners. Kim Rickels (Nebraska-Kearney) added 13, Mackenzie Westcott (Bradley) scored 11.

Future Hawkeye Melissa Dixon and Coe's Kelsey Jipp scored 14 apiece to pace Cullen/Falbo. UNI's KK Armstrong tallied 13.

AT NORTH LIBERTY

MONICA'S/BOB'S YOUR UNCLE (90): Kachine Alexander 16-24 6-9 42, Mackenzie Westcott 5-11 0-0 11, Mercedees Morgan 7-13 0-0 14, Moran Lonning 3-7 0-0 6, Kim Rickels 5-14 1-6 13, Kaitlin Breitbach 2-4 0-2 4. Totals 38-73 7-17 90.

CULLEN PAINTING/FALBO BROS. PIZZA (66): Kelly Krei 2-6 4-4 8, KK Armstrong 5-13 3-6 13, Melissa Dixon 6-10 0-0 14, Amanda Barton 2-7 1-4 6, Mary Halvorson 3-8 2-2 8, Gabby Binion 0-2 0-0 0, Kelsey Jipp 3-7 6-6 14, Kristin Fomon 1-4 0-0 3. Totals 22-57 16-22 66.

Halftime: Monica's/Bob's, 49-26. 3-point goals: Monica's/Bob's 7-20 (Alexander 4-7, Westcott 1-4, Morgan 0-1, Rickels 2-5, Breitbach 0-2), Cullen/Falbo 6-16 (Krei 0-3, Armstrong 0-2, Dixon 2-3, Barton 1-2, Jipp 2-2, Fomon 1-4). Rebounds: Monica's/Bob's 41 (Westcott 9), Cullen/Falbo 39 (Armstrong 7). Team fouls: Monica's/Bob's 12, Cullen/Falbo 11. Fouled out: None.

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