Hawkeyes still seeking ‘right rotations’

IOWA CITY — Despite a No. 23 ranking and a 3-0 record, the Iowa Hawkeyes are in no position to overlook Northern Iowa in their women's basketball game Sunday.

Item of Evidence No. 1 came Thursday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, when the Hawkeyes needed a 3-pointer from Whitney Jennings to rescue them from defeat against Western Illinois.

Item of Evidence No. 2 came earlier in the week in a game that involved neither team: Drake 74, Iowa State 70.

'That definitely got our attention,' Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said. 'Iowa State's a Big 12 team, and Drake was a really tough opponent.

'I think this is a very similar situation.'

The Hawkeyes visit the McLeod Center for a 2 p.m. tipoff Sunday. It is the first intrastate test for both the Hawkeyes and UNI (2-0).

'They're important games, the in-state games,' Bluder said. 'The eyes of the state are upon you.'

Iowa owns an 18-2 series advantage on UNI, with eight consecutive wins. It was 73-45 last year at Iowa City.

The Panthers have posted a pair of convincing wins, against Rockhurst and South Dakota. They're No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 41 points per game.

Iowa, on the other hand, is its typically prolific self. The Hawkeyes are averaging 80.3 points per game, led by junior Ally Disterhoft at 17.3 points per game. Freshman Megan Gustafson is shooting 75 percent from the floor and adds 15.0 points per game, Kali Peschel is at 9.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per contest.

The Hawkeyes led by 18 points in the first half against Western Illinois on Thursday, but needed a 3-pointer by Jennings to force overtime, and eventually won 96-81.

'We're going to get everybody's best shot,' Bluder said. 'We have to be ready to play from the get-go (Sunday). The McLeod Center is a tough place to play.

'We're not finding the right rotations right now. We will.'

Jen Keitel, a senior from DeWitt, leads the Panthers at 13.5 points per game. Amber Sorensen adds 10.5.

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