The Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Michigan, 97-85 in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
By Mario Williams
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Every year when the Big Ten Tournament rolls around, it’s a new season.
For Hawkeye junior Ally Disterhoft and freshman Megan Gustafson, that phrase just might mean more that it does to others. It’s not a surprise these two players have done all they could this season to lead Iowa in the right direction, and Thursday afternoon at the Big Ten Tournament in a 97-85 win over Michigan, they did just that.
“We’re playing some great team basketball,” Disterhoft said. “That’s the best offensive game we’ve played all year, that’s the best team win we’ve had all year, and I think we just did a great job of moving the ball and taking what they were giving us.”
The co-captain couldn’t be stopped after Iowa’s messy first quarter, and Gustafson did all she could down-low against Michigan’s Hallie Thome.
Disterhoft finished the contest with 22 points and shot 8-of-11 from the field. The junior has put up double figures in every contest this season. Gustafson notched her eighth double-double of the year, scoring a season high 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
From tip-off though it wasn’t an easy go for Iowa. Michigan came out the gate early on a 13-2 run, leaving the Hawks a little shell-shocked. Iowa couldn’t stop the combo between Michigan’s Katelynn Flaherty and Thome, and they played a large role in the Wolverine’s success in the first quarter.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said. “The way we started this game, it wasn’t going in our direction at all. We really challenged them in the time out. And I thought Ally did a great job as our captain and our leader and really making some big changes for us to end that first quarter.”
The confidence that Iowa had closing the first quarter shifted into the second quarter. Michigan was without its point guard, Siera Thompson due to foul trouble and that allowed Iowa to capitalize. Michigan head coach Kim Barnes noted not only is Thompson a leader on the team, but she’s the team’s best defender.
“The second quarter was really tough for us without her in the game,” Barnes said. “I thought they did a good job of really attacking her and drawing those fouls. Iowa was able to have a really big quarter on us.”
Disterhoft and Gustafson took no time off getting the Hawkeyes back in the game. Iowa played its best quarter in the second, and much of their performance in the second quarter is why they were able to confidently finish strong.
The Hawkeyes outscored Michigan 31-13 in the second quarter. Disterhoft knocked down a three-pointer to give Iowa its first lead of the game, and then a minute later knocked down another.
Disterhoft was 3-of-3 from downtown and scored 11 points in the second quarter alone. Gustafson added nine points in the second quarter and was 4-of-4 from the field.
52 points at the half was a season-high for Iowa as well.
Iowa has been known to lose leads this season, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday. Michigan only trailed by eight points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but Iowa never settled and was stretched its lead even more.
“We just talked about 10 minutes, “ Bluder said. “But they have to be reminded, “Finish the game, finish the game.” I think we’re finally learning how to do that.”
Iowa will continue through the Big Ten Tournament and compete against number-one seed Maryland tomorrow at 11 p.m. central time.
“The way we played today, we can beat anybody in this tournament” Gustafson said. “I’m really excited and I think that we’re going to bring it.”
Follow @marioxwilliams for Iowa women’s basketball news, updates and analysis.
