The Iowa bench reacts as the clock winds down during Northwestern vs Iowa action Thursday at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Iowa led the entire game.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Morgan Johnson and Jamie Printy scored 18 points apiece to help Iowa defeat Northwestern 60-55 on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten women’s tournament at the Sears Centre.
“Very happy to come in here and get this win,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “Puts us at 20 wins for the year. And I thought we did another good job defensively.
The Hawkeyes now advance to meet No. 21 Nebraska in Friday’s quarterfinals.
For Northwestern, coach Joe McKeown paid a postgame tribute to four seniors: Dannielle Diamant, Kendall Hackney, Inesha Hale and Kate Popovec.
“I’m just really proud of them,” McKeown said. “They’re the winningest class at Northwestern, I think, since the early ’90s. And came to a program that had averaged two or three wins a year, and they’ve averaged 16 or 17 wins a year in their careers.
“Their blood is all over Welsh Ryan Arena and the Sears Centre too.”
Bethany Doolittle added 10 points and Samantha Logic grabbed 11 rebounds for the Hawkeyes (20-11).
Iowa never trailed in the game. It was 30-26 at halftime and the Hawkeyes led 57-42 with 3 minutes to go before the Wildcats battled back to make it close.
Hackney led Northwestern (13-17) with 13 points and 4 steals. Karly Roser scored 11 points, Alex Cohen scored 10 and Diamant had a game-high 13 rebounds.
Northwestern Wildcats forward Maggie Lyon, the Big Tens freshman of the year, reacts as time winds down at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Iowa defeated Northwestern 60-55 to advance.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown make a point to an official at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Iowa defeated Northwestern 60-55 to advance.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Iowa guard Theairra Taylor (23) pressures Northwestern guard Karly Roser at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. Iowa defeated Northwestern and will play Nebraska on Friday.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Iowa guard Jaime Printy (24) and center Morgan Johnson (12) pressure Northwestern forward Maggie Lyon during Northwesterns 60-55 loss to the Hawkeyes Thursday at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Northwestern assistant coach Allison Guth talks to her team during action Thursday at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Northwestern forward Maggie Lyon shoots past Iowa guard Theairra Taylor, left, and guard Samamtha Logic Thursday during first-half action at the Big Ten Womens Basketball Tournament at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
Associated Press
Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown, left, covers his face as reacts Thursday during the first half in the Big Ten Conference tournament against Iowa at the Sears Centre. Iowa won 60-55.
Associated Press