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105 W ith the graduation of three-year starting center Bethany Doolittle, the University of Iowa women's basketball team had big shoes to fill in the paint. UI head coach Lisa Bluder called on sophomore Chase Coley and freshman Megan Gustafson to fill the void and she has been impressed with each player's early success. "e consistency is a surprise," Bluder said. "We felt we had talent in Chase and Megan, but their consistency has been outstanding. I like to have two different post players." e dynamic duo has been a consistent offensive force for the Hawkeyes. Gustafson leads the team with a 61.0 field goal percentage, while Coley is shooting 55.4 percent from the floor. Coley averages 6.4 rebounds, and Gustafson pulls down 4.3 per game. Coley, an agile, cray player with shooting range, has scored in double figures in four of her last five games. She scored a career-high 22 points in back-to-back contests against Wright State and George Washington. She posed double-doubles in a road win at Northern Iowa (16 points, 14 rebounds) and in Texas versus the Colonials (22 points, 10 rebounds). Gustafson, a physical force on the block, has been nothing short of impressive. She has scored in double figures in four games early this season, was named to the Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament team during the opening weekend, and netted a career-high 23 points in Iowa's overtime win against Western Illinois. Both players have had individual successes, but both 6-3 centers credit each other for helping to reach their potential in game settings. "I love seeing Megan do well," Coley said. "When she goes out there and makes moves, she does that to me in practice. She has made me better, and I've made her better, so seeing her out there having success is something we've done together. "Megan is stronger than me, you can visibly see that. Every day in practice, I know she's going to push me and I am learning to hold my ground. It's a constant battle, and it makes us both better." "It's fun playing with Chase," Gustafson said. "We play the same position, but we're different. She's agile, quick, and likes to reverse under the basket, while I like to stay on the block to be physical. Chase pushes me to be quicker on my feet and to play better defense, and I help her get stronger. "Going against each other has benefitted both of us so far this season." e Hawkeyes (7-1) return home Dec. 6 aer playing five games in 11 days away from home. ey take on Robert Morris, beginning at 1 p.m. on Mediacom Court inside Carver- Hawkeye Arena. FUTURE SCHEDULE Dec. 6 Robert Morris Dec. 11 at Iowa State Dec. 19 Bradley Dec. 22 Drake Dec. 31 at Nebraska Jan. 4 Rutgers Jan. 7 at Michigan Jan. 10 Maryland