Iowa women get big win

The Iowa Hawkeye women opened a critical week with an impressive victory. The Hawkeyes took command from the outset and rolled past 11th ranked Minnesota 81-61 last night in Iowa City. The Gophers were playing without the services of two-time All-American Lindsey Whalen who suffered two broken bones in her right hand last week.Iowa coach Lisa Bluder says it’s a great victory, with or without Whalen, as she says her team came right out and took the game. The Hawks shot 52 percent from the field, including five of eight from three point range, to build an 18 point halftime advantage. Bluder says their defensive intensity was great, and they took care of the basketball.Iowa is 9-5 and alone in third place in the Big Ten. The Hawks close out the home slate on Sunday against eighth-ranked Penn State. Bluder says it’s a shame to have only one home game left.