Feb. 28, 2008

IOWA CITY, Iowa-- Iowa used a 48-percent shooting effort en route to a 68-42 victory over Northwestern Thursday evening at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Freshman Amy Jaeschke (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) led the 'Cats with 15 points and 11 rebounds -- her fourth double-double of the season.

Iowa sprinted out to an early 8-2 lead before baskets by Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest) and Meshia Reed (Country Club Hills, Ill./Stockbridge, (Ga.)) cut the lead to a bucket six minutes into the half. Every time the Hawks looked poised to make a run, Amy Jaeschke responded with a bucket of her own, not allowing Iowa's lead to exceed five points over the next two minutes.

The Hawks then went on an 11-0 run to take a 26-10 advantage with 9:24 remaining. Back-to-back jumpers by Jaeschke and Sara Stutz (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) cut the Iowa lead to 12 before the Hawks spurted again, this time pouring in eight points over the next three and a half minutes to pull out to a 21-point advantage with 2:50 left.

A trey by Reed cut the Hawkeye lead to 18, where it would remain until halftime. Amy Jaeschke led Northwestern at the break with eight points and five rebounds.

Iowa opened the second half on an 8-2 run, and continued its sharp shooting throughout the half, ultimately converting on nearly 50 percent of its shots en route to the victory.

The Wildcats close out the regular season at Ohio State, who is currently tied for first place with Iowa, at 1 p.m. CT Sunday in Columbus. The game is televised on the Big Ten Network.