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Gustafson, Iowa reach Elite 8 by beating NC State 79-61

Sports

March 30th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Iowa did what it always does, working the ball around and getting it to Megan Gustafson. Now the Hawkeyes are sticking around longer in the NCAA Tournament than they have in a generation. Gustafson had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead Iowa past North Carolina State 79-61 on Saturday in the Greensboro Regional semifinals.

“It’s been a magical year for us,” coach Lisa Bluder said, “and we don’t want to see it end.” Gustafson, who averages a Division I-best 28 points while also ranking second in rebounding, finished with her 33rd double-double to tie the NCAA’s single-season record. She made 10 of her 13 shots. Hannah Stewart added 16 points and 10 rebounds.

They helped the second-seeded Hawkeyes (29-6) earn their first Elite Eight appearance since 1993. Iowa will play top-seeded Baylor on Monday night in the regional final, with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Tampa, Florida.

Thanks to Gustafson, it’s among the Hawkeyes’ deeper marches through the bracket in recent years. This was Iowa’s first Sweet 16 since 2015 and just the third since the ’93 team rolled to the lone Final Four in program history under coach C. Vivian Stringer. Gustafson joined some elite company with her latest double-double.

Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris set the record of 33 in 2006 and did it again a year later. Natalie Butler of George Mason matched that mark last season. Gustafson has had a double-double in all but two games this season.