Hawkeyes hope to turn tables on No. 19 Nebraska

IOWA CITY -- They know the situation. And they know the calendar.

"It's almost February, and we still haven't had that signature win," said Kelly Krei.

The Iowa Hawkeyes get another opportunity Thursday, when they face 19th-ranked Nebraska in a Big Ten women's basketball game at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.

Iowa (11-9 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) reaches the midpoint of the Big Ten season Thursday with much work to do in order to reach the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year.

The Hawkeyes have an RPI of 66 and only two wins against top-100 opponents (against St. John's and Northwestern). They had an opportunity for a major victory Sunday at Penn State, but squandered it in the final 10 minutes of a 68-52 loss.

"Obviously, we need some wins," said Jaime Printy, the Hawkeyes' leading scorer. "We'll play 35 good minutes, then the last five minutes we give away our win."

"We need to get going," Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said. "We need to make it happen. We need a quality win or two."

The opportunity is there. After playing Nebraska Thursday, the Hawkeyes host No. 13 Purdue on Saturday.

"We still have (nine regular-season) games left, and we have a lot to fight for," said freshman Samantha Logic. "Anything can happen."

Iowa needs a win Thursday to salvage a season split with the Huskers (16-3, 5-2), who won 77-72 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Jan. 8.

The Hawkeyes did a decent job defensively on leading scorer Jordan Hooper, limiting her to 17 points. But Lindsey Moore got loose for 22 points and nine assists.

After a 13-18 disappointment last year, Nebraska has made itself at home quite nicely in its first year in the Big Ten.

"They didn't fare well last year, but they had a No. 1 (NCAA) seed two years ago, so they obviously have great coaching and players and a system in place," Bluder said.

Bluder added that the Hawkeyes still will be without Kalli Hansen (groin injury) and Melissa Dixon (knee).

IOWA (11-9, 3-4) at NEBRASKA (16-3, 5-2)

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Neb.

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Thursday

TV: None

Radio: KXIC-AM (800), KMJM-AM (1360)

Notable: The Hawkeyes make their first trip to Lincoln since 2005, when they beat the Cornhuskers in the WNIT. Nebraska defeated Iowa, 77-72, on Jan. 8, the teams' first meeting as Big Ten rivals and is now ranked No. 19. Lindsey Moore racked up 22 points and nine assists in that game. Jordan Hooper leads Nebraska at 19.9 points per game. This is the second of three games for Iowa against ranked foes. The Hawkeyes slipped late Sunday in a 68-52 loss to Penn State; they'll host Purdue on Saturday. Jaime Printy leads Iowa at 17.8 points per game, followed by Morgan Johnson (14.3 ppg) and Kamille Wahlin (11.3 ppg).

Next up for Iowa: Purdue, 2 p.m. Saturday.

BIG TEN STANDINGS

Conf.

All

Purdue

7-0

17-3

Ohio State

6-1

19-1

Nebraska

5-2

16-3

Michigan

5-2

16-4

Penn State

5-2

15-4

Michigan State

4-3

12-8

Iowa

3-4

11-9

Minnesota

3-4

11-10

Northwestern

2-5

12-8

Wisconsin

2-5

6-13

Illinois

0-7

6-14

Indiana

0-7

5-15

THURSDAY'S GAMES

Iowa at Nebraska, 7 p.m.

Illinois at Michigan State, 5 p.m.

Penn State at Michigan, 6 p.m.

Ohio State at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Wisconsin at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Purdue at Northwestern, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Purdue at Iowa, 2 p.m.

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Nebraska at Illinois, noon

Ohio State at Minnesota, noon

Penn State at Michigan State, 2 p.m.

Indiana at Northwestern, 2 p.m.

MONDAY'S GAME

Michigan at Wisconsin, 6 p.m. p.m.