Czinano Perfect In Hawkeyes' Exhibition Win

Center scores 27 points in 98-53 victory over Winona State.

It was only an exhibition game, but sophomore Monika Czinano showed she is ready to be Iowa's starting center.

Czinano scored 27 points, making all 13 of her shots, in Sunday's 98-53 win over Winona State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Czinano averaged just 1.9 points last season in a reserve role, but at 6-foot-3 had a size advantage on Winona State.

"Monika had a good first exhibition game," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. "You could tell she was stronger and had size advantage. We did a good job getting her the ball."

The Hawkeyes shot 60.9 percent from the field, including 70.6 percent in the second quarter when they outscored Winona State 28-9.

"At times I wanted us to have to work a little harder — I wanted us to have to execute our offense longer before we got the shot up," Bluder said. "I know that will change quickly. Today we could get a lot of things because we wanted to."

Senior guard Kathleen Doyle, a unanimous preseason All-Big Ten pick, scored 20 points and had five assists. Freshman Gabbie Marshall added 10 points.

Iowa had a 46-37 rebounding edge. Amanda Ollinger led the Hawkeyes with eight rebounds.

The Hawkeyes open the regular season with a 6:30 p.m. game against Florida Atlantic.