Hawkeyes take their (only) shot at Northwestern

IOWA CITY - Every game matters, yes.

Some just matter a little more.

The Iowa Hawkeyes head to Northwestern for a Big Ten women's basketball game Sunday. Tipoff is 2 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern is one of Iowa's four “singles” this year, meaning the Hawkeyes (18-7 overall, 6-6 Big Ten) only play the Wildcats (16-9, 5-7) once this season.

This one matters a little more.

“These (teams) that you only get once, they are so important, because in any tiebreaker scenario, that's the one and only that it counts upon,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said after the Hawkeyes rallied past Minnesota on Thursday.

Iowa's singles are with Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin this season. The Hawkeyes dropped their one and only opportunity with Michigan (at home) and with Purdue (on the road).

With a number of teams clumped in the middle of the Big Ten pack, every tie-breaker is crucial if the Hawkeyes are to finish in the top five of the league and earn a first-round bye at the Big Ten tournament.

The Hawkeyes avoided a catashrophic loss Thursday. Down five with six minutes to play, they found a way to escape.

Kachine Alexander converted a drive with 5 seconds left to break the tie.

With 17 points and 10 rebounds, Alexander notched her eighth double-double of the season, the 32nd of her career. Lisa Long (1983-87) is the Iowa career leader with 35.

Amy Jaeschke leads Northwestern at 22.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

Big Ten standings

Conf.

All

Michigan State

9-2

21-3

Penn State

9-3

20-6

Wisconsin

9-3

14-10

Michigan

7-4

14-9

Iowa

6-6

18-7

Purdue

6-6

15-9

Ohio State

5-6

14-9

Northwestern

5-7

16-9

Minnesota

3-8

11-13

Indiana

3-9

9-15

Illinois

2-10

7-18

Sunday's Games

Iowa at Northwestern, 2 p.m.

Penn State at Indiana

Illinois at Purdue

Michigan at Michigan State

Ohio State at Minnesota