IOWA CITY — Whether you call it an off-day shooting by the University of Iowa or credit a spirited defensive effort by Washington State, the result was a season-ending 74-66 loss for the Hawkeyes in the WNIT on Sunday in front of 5,146 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa ends its season at 20-14, while Washington State — winner of six of its last seven games — is 16-19 and advances to a WNIT semifinal against Georgia Tech.
Sophomore Megan Gustafson led Iowa with 19 points and 15 rebounds, her 18th double-double of the season. Senior Ally Disterhoft was 11-of-14 from the free throw line and finished with 16 points. Freshman Kathleen Doyle added 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals with a career-high eight assists.
The Hawkeyes started quickly, leading 20-13 eight minutes into the game. There were five lead changes in the second quarter, but when Caila Hailey made a layup with 1:09 left before halftime, Washington State went on top 31-29.
The Cougars stayed in front the rest of the game.
The Cougars held a slight edge on the boards, 45-42, with 17 offensive rebounds.
They also led in second-chance points (16-7) and points in the paint (34-32).
Iowa was 18-of-29 from the free throw line and 4-of-23 from 3-point range.
The Hawkeyes missed their final 14 3-point attempts and all 13 in the second half.
Iowa finished a season with at least 20 victories for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons.