Foul Play
Monday, December 14, 2001
By: Frank Tormey

The Northwestern women’s basketball team lost 82-68 at Iowa on Thursday night. It was the second time in as many weeks that the Wildcats had fallen to the Hawkeyes. Northwestern suffered from foul trouble throughout the game, losing freshmen Sarah Kwasinski and Melissa Culver, who both fouled out in the second half.

Iowa took a 38-26 lead into the locker room at halftime, thanks to a 12-0 run midway through the first half. Iowa was paced by senior guard Lindsey Meder, who scored 17 points in the half to go along with four assists and three steals. Foul trouble hit the ‘Cats early as center Sarah Kwasinski played just nine minutes thanks to three personal fouls.

Northwestern fought back in the second half, pulling to within five points with 8:31 left in the game. The Wildcats stayed within ten points until Kwasinski fouled out with 5:12 to go. Culver fouled out with 2:01 left in the game and Iowa closed out the game, winning by the 82-68 final.

Meder finished the game with 27 points and seven assists for Iowa, while forward Jerica Watson finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. All of Watson’s 18 points came in the second half. Guard Kristi Faulkner also finished in double figures scoring for Iowa with 12 points.

Junior center Leslie Dolland led Northwestern in scoring, coming off the bench to score 19 points, 16 in the second half alone. Dolland also had three blocks and six rebounds. Culver was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 13 points and five assists.

Northwestern committed a season-high 26 personal fouls in the game, sending Iowa to the free throw line 36 times. The Hawkeyes converted on 22 of the 36 free throws. Iowa also out rebounded the Wildcats 45 to 34.

Frank can be reached at f-tormey@northwestern.edu.