Hawkeyes head to Purdue, seeking ‘more fight’

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa women's basketball team had a group of visitors at practice Friday.

'We brought in the women's wrestling team,' Coach Lisa Bluder said, referring to the Team USA hopefuls that wrestled at Carver-Hawkeye Arena later in the day. 'It's good for our players to hear that message from somebody other than the coaches.

'Maybe it will give them more fight.'

The Hawkeyes' season has reached a critical juncture. Iowa (13-6 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) faces Purdue (14-4, 5-2) at 2 p.m. (Iowa time) Sunday at Mackey Arena.

Iowa has dropped four of its last five game, and the most recent defeat — 82-69 to Penn State — was damaging. As a result of the loss, the Hawkeyes' RPI plummeted 24 spots, down to 46.

'I wouldn't say there's doubt,' Bluder said. 'I'd say there's frustration. I know how good we can be, I want them to grow up faster than they're growing up.'

Bluder didn't name names, but she did hint that there could be a change — or two — in the starting lineup Sunday.

There are several options, but Ally Disterhoft's role as a starter seems safe. The junior co-captain has been a rock of consistency, scoring in double-figures in every game this season.

Don't expect any sympathy from the Boilermakers. They've lost two straight after starting the Big Ten with five consecutive wins.

'It's going to be a difficult one,' Bluder said. 'It's a tough place to play. It's a tough scenario.

'We're going to see a lot of ball pressure again. We have to handle that. They have a lot of depth inside. Neither team will be ready to wave the white flag yet.'

Purdue's April Wilson averages 15.7 points and 6 assists per game.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com