Iowa City, IOWA- The University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team won its opening game of The Hawkeye challenge on Friday 97-68 over a pesky Pepperdine Waves squad.

Ally Disterhoft got The Hawks off to another quick start, scoring the team’s first five points en route to her fourth career double-double: she finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

However, The Lady Hawkeyes were challenged by The Waves in the first half as they were unable to pull away.

Pepperdine was able to knock down some tough contested shots as well as connect on the open looks they did have in order to stay within striking distance through the first half.

Iowa switched between man and an aggressive match-up zone defense throughout the game which kept Pepperdine guessing on their offensive end.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the aggressive zone from Iowa this year: it’s proving to be a viable second option on defense. However, the zone did allow for some open looks for Pepperdine. When they were able to skip the ball across the floor, they were able to get open jump shots.

In addition, Iowa failed to box out a handful of times out of the match-up zone which also lead to a couple easy baskets off of offensive rebounds for Pepperdine. The zone still has some question marks, but seems to be a serious speed bump for opposing offenses.

With Pepperdine proving to be more trouble than most figured they would, senior guard Samantha Logic took control and led the way for The Lady Hawkeyes. Logic led the transition offense time after time: creating open looks for her teammates as well as getting to the rim herself, resulting in points or a trip to the foul line.

Logic finished with 12 points on five of nine shooting in addition to her six rebounds and nine assists. After the game she spoke about carrying over the second half momentum from Friday into their Saturday rematch of the 2013 Hawkeye Challenge championship game vs. Dayton.

“Yeah, I mean, we’re going to have to ride that momentum because Dayton’s a really good basketball team,” said Logic. “They play a lot like us: like to push the ball in transition, get quick shots, everyone can score on their team. I think we can take away from the first half knowing we didn’t play well and still had a lead going into half time and then capitalized on a lot of things in the second half.”

Ally Disterhoft also explained what helped the Lady Hawkeye’s put away Pepperdine in the second half of Friday’s game. “We let the offense come to us, stopped trying to force things, looked to hit our teammates, worked the ball a little bit more than in the first half,” said Disterhoft.  “We played Iowa basketball: looking to make the extra pass. That’s how we like to play and it’s a fun way to play. I think we did that in the second half.”

Iowa’s ability to go ten players deep in a given game contributes to their up tempo, run and gun style we’ve grown accustomed to. It showed in the second half of Friday’s game: Pepperdine was unable to continuously sprint up and down with The Lady Hawkeyes and eventually fell by the wayside.

Freshman Whitney Jennings also had a cool five assists and zero turnovers off the bench. Fellow freshmen Chase Coley and Carly Mohns also joined the fun and contributed valuable minutes, points, and fresh bodies, off the bench. Coach Lisa Bluder claimed all of the freshman improved greatyl on Friday night.

Not to be forgotten is Senior Melissa Dixon, who, after being recognized for scoring one thousand points as a Hawkeye before the game, poured in a team high 20 points on 7-12 shooting: 6-11 from three.

Dixon’s ability to knock down the outside shot has propelled her into fourth all time in Iowa Women’s basketball history in three point shots made, passing Wendy Ausdemore last night.

Few teams in the nation have the ability to go up and down with The Lady Hawkeyes over a forty minute game. So long as they continue to utilize their depth, athleticism, and size they will be extremely tough to beat.

Iowa looks to defend its 2013 Hawkeye Challenge Championship on Saturday 7:30 p.m. at Carver vs. The Dayton Lady Flyers: Admission is free for all.

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Coach Bluder’s squad has been picked to finish 3^rd in their conference by the coaches’ preseason poll behind Final Four finalist Maryland and Michigan State.

Iowa has been a host for the first round of the NCAA tournament for the last two years.  Coach Bluder pointed out during her press conference that the rules have changed and the top 16 teams host the first round of the NCAA tournament.

One of the season goals for the Iowa women’s basketball team is to prove to the country that they are one of the best sixteen teams in the nation. To host one of the tournament games gives the fans an opportunity to come out to Carver and watch their performance in the NCAA tournament.

RETURNING PLAYERS

The Hawkeyes have four returning starters from last year, three of whom are seniors.

The first returner being senior Sam Logic, who has become one of the most talented players in the nation at guard.

Secondly, Bethany Doolittle a senior will occupy center, and be one of the premiere shot blockers in the conference.

Thirdly, Melissa Dixon also a senior, known as a three point specialist, will be back playing shooting guard.

Finally, Ally Disterhoft, the sophomore and Iowa City native, worked her way into the starting line-up half-way through the season at guard.

Sam Logic, a four year starter, looks to lead the Hawks to its 8^th straight tournament appearance. She has already shattered the assist record, but will continue to add to that this season.

Bethany Doolittle is 109 blocked shots away from tying the Iowa record held by Morgan Johnson. It will be a tough task but is attainable. It will be a great senior season from the center of Iowa.

The accolades does not change their style of play because of one common goal, winning as a team at the end of the day.

Ally Disterhoft will be expected to fill bigger shoes this season. She will take that challenge with great pride while doing anything to help the team win. Whether that’s getting an old fashion three point play or shooting from beyond the arc.

The other key players returning are Kathryn Reynolds (senior), Kali Peschel (junior), Nicole Smith (junior), Claire Till (junior), Alexa Kastanek (sophomore), and Hailey Schneden (sophomore) who will hold important roles this season.

Kathryn Reynolds is a great leader on and off the court and has graduated in three years and is starting her first year at Law school. Even though Reynolds stats are not significant as a guard, Bluder said, “When she talks, everybody listens.”

Nicole Smith a center did not play much last year with a right knee injury.  You should expect to see her healthy and more involved this year.

Claire Till the forward has not been able to practice much with her current knee problems she has been having. Coach Bluder mentioned, “Just being able to guard a five is a lot easier for Till than having to go out on the perimeter and having to close out on a driver.”

Alexa Kastanek played in 34 games last year as a freshman, and is expected to fill the same type of role as guard similar to last year.

Hailey Schneden a forward, who is a non-scholarship athlete played in 11 games last year.

INCOMING PLAYERS

The new incoming freshman are: Christina Buttenham, Chase Coley, Whitney Jennings, and Carly Mohns.

Christina Buttenham was named to the 2014 Canadian Junior Women’s National Team. She missed summer workouts because of that but is catching up quickly and will play a wing position.

Whitney Jennings was named Indiana Miss Basketball. As a guard she is a very fast ball handler with an excellent jumper and three point shot. Coach Bluder said, “I don’t know how you keep Whitney Jennings off the floor, and that’s a great problem to have, isn’t it?”

Chase Coley was the Gatorade player of the year in Minnesota. She gives more depth at the Center position and reminds Coach Bluder of a Freshman Bethany Doolittle.

Carly Mohns a forward, was a first team All-State honoree in Wisconsin. “She’s a great rebounder and that’s something Iowa really needed,” coach Bluder said.

Bluder talked about how other Big Ten teams take the non-conference schedule lightly. Under her leadership Iowa has never taken that route. This gives the Hawks a leg up on competition, because of the stiffer competition from non-conference opponents allows the team to be ready for the Big Ten schedule.

She feels the biggest improvements need to be made on defense and rebounding, because when you are playing an up tempo game, the defense will get a lot of chances to be scored on.

Lisa Bluder also gave her staff, which has been together for a long time, a great deal of appreciation since they bring multiple abilities that mesh well with each other to bring out the best in the players on and off the court.

Iowa plays St. Ambrose in an exhibition game on Sunday November 9^th at 3 p.m.

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