1When is a foul not a foul?: When it’s a charge and the defender’s feet are clearly moving. But what’s done is done, and a questionable offensive foul call on CU Buffs senior guard Jaylyn Sherrod with 4:30 left in the third quarter wasn’t a game-changer so much as a game-ender. Also, let’s just say it was curious as heck. With CU down 58-45 and on the break, the Buffs senior appeared to slow up to avoid a collision with Iowa defender Kylie Feuerbach, who, we should mention, was still moving. Sherrod was whistled for the charge. The Buffs senior pleaded her case, but it was for naught. The Hawkeyes responded with a 10-2 run after that to more or less salt the game away, a surge fueled by a pair of killer Clark treys.

2Too many layups for Iowa. Too many jumpers for Buffs: Call it March Madness Math: Tournament matchups tend to favor teams that hunt layups and hit them and punish those who hoist jumpers and hope for the best. Iowa seemed to consistently get cracks at the former, much to Buffs coach JR Payne’s chagrin. A minute into the second quarter, and two critical pieces of the CU frontcourt, Aaronette Vonleh and Quay Miller, had already picked up two fouls apiece. The Hawkeyes didn’t waste any time taking advantage, either, looking to drive at almost every turn. Iowa wound up outscoring CU in the paint 30-20 during the first half while shooting 61.3% from the floor. Sydney Affolter’s layup off the break with 1:07 left in the third quarter pushed Iowa’s lead to 68-47, seriously dashing hopes of a Buffs comeback.

3More foul trouble up front: Buffs fans feared the foul count in this one after seeing what Iowa did to West Virginia, and those fears proved at least somewhat justified early on. CU had picked up 10 whistles at halftime to Iowa’s six. In the second quarter, the Buffs were called for twice as many fouls (6-3). The Hawkeyes went to the charity stripe nine times during that stretch converting seven times, while the Buffs made four trips and nailed two free throws.