Regina prevails amid flood of fouls, turnovers

IOWA CITY - Brian Joens called it "wild."

Ali Browning proclaimed it as "hectic."

With 73 turnovers, 56 fouls and 72 free throws, this was nearly two hours of yuck.

Iowa City Regina outlasted West Branch in a battle of survival, 78-64, in an extremely messy Class 2A first-round regional girls' basketball game Saturday night at Regina High School.

"It was very physical. Both teams played hard," said Joens, the Regals' head coach. "It was a very wild atmosphere."

Four players fouled out and six others finished the game with four fouls, including Browning, who overcame a sore hamstring to finish with 23 points, 12 rebounds and five steals.

She made 8 of 9 shots from the floor, 8 of 12 from the line.

"(The fouls) changed the game a little bit," Browning said. "(West Branch) was a very physical team. They liked to get out on you. We're OK with that sometimes, but not really tonight."

Regina (18-4), which defeated West Branch for the third time this season, advances to face Solon (15-7) in a regional quarterfinal Tuesday at Solon.

Before rough and tumble took control of this game, Regina did. The Regals led, 12-0, after the first 2:50, and West Branch (16-6) never got closer than nine points.

It was 23-9 after a quarter, and Regina built a 49-29 advantage early in the third period.

West Branch had 14 turnovers in the first quarter and finished with 38. Regina coughed it up 35 times.

The Regals shot 41 free throws, making 24. West Branch was 15 of 31.

"It's just good to come out with a win," Joens said.

Kylee Homewood collected 18 points and six assists for the winners. Zoe Dutchik and Zoe Browning scored 12 apiece.

Jordan Arp led the Bears with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman Kelley Trimble and Kirby Eagle scored 11 points apiece.