Dec. 7, 2003
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THE SETTING
Iowa (4-2) concludes its five-game road trip at Northern Iowa (0-3) Monday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in the UNI Dome. Monday’s contest will be Iowa’s fifth road game in 11 nights. Three of Iowa’s next four opponents are from the Missouri Valley Conference (Northern Iowa, Drake and Creighton).
ON THE AIR
All Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Listen to Iowa women’s basketball games on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa City, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids. Mark Allen and Karen Schulte call the action.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 823 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 502-321 (.610). That includes a 266-138 (.658) mark in Big Ten games and a 221-49 (.819) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK — 100
Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder will be coaching her 100th Iowa game Monday night against her alma mater. She holds a 61-38 (.616) record while mentoring the Hawkeyes. In addition, Bluder is three games from coaching in her 600th career game as a head coach. She holds a 417-180 (.698) mark in 597 contests.
While Coach Bluder will be coaching her 100th game as a Hawkeye, senior Jennie Lillis will be playing her 100th game. Lillis has started 98-of-99 contests during her Hawkeye career.
HAWKEYES CAPTURE WIN NUMBER 500
Iowa won its 500th game in its program’s 30-year history with a 62-58 victory over Saint Joseph’s in the first round of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 28.
Jennie Lillis BREAKS RECORD
Senior Jennie Lillis entered the FIU Thanksgiving Classic 10 free throws attempted from breaking Toni Foster’s school record of 445. Lillis attempted 20 free throws — 10 in each game. She is the new record holder with 459.
FOUL PLAY
Four Hawkeyes fouled out at Iowa State (Jennie Lillis, Jamie Cavey, Johanna Solverson and Kristi Faulkner). Jennie Lillis has fouled out in three of Iowa’s first six games this season. The senior from Urbandale, IA, fouled out only once in 33 games her junior year and three times in 29 contests her sophomore season.
As a team, Hawkeye players have fouled out nine times in Iowa’s first six games, matching its total all of last year.
HAWKEYES DEFEAT MARQUETTE
Playing in its second road game in three nights, Iowa rallied from a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to win 65-62 at Marquette. The win was Iowa’s fourth-straight over the Golden Eagles.
Trailing 59-49 with 4:17 left, the Hawkeyes ended the game on a 16-3 run to claim victory. The Hawkeye defense did not allow a Marquette field goal the last 4:17. Jamie Cavey scored Iowa’s last five points, three of which came from the free throw line to help secure the win. Cavey finished the game converting a career-high 7-8 from the charity stripe.
Cavey scored a team-high 15 points (4-8 FG, 7-8 FT), Jennie Lillis tallied 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 FT), while Kristi Faulkner added 12 points (4-8 FG, 2-2 FT). Johanna Solverson pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and dished out a career-high nine assists. Iowa yielded 19 offensive rebounds. The Golden Eagles tuned the 19 offensive rebounds into only nine points. The Hawkeyes left Milwaukee victorious, despite committing 27 turnovers, one shy of a season high.
HAWKEYES REACH DOUBLE FIGURES
Iowa had all five starters reach double figures in scoring at Iowa State. It marked the second-consecutive game that the Hawkeyes had five players post double figure numbers. In addition, Iowa has scored 90 points or more in back-to-back road games (at Florida International – 93, and at Iowa State – 94). The last time Iowa posted back-to-back 90-pont scoring outbursts was when the Hawkeyes poured in 95 vs Northwestern and 91 at Wisconsin in 2000. The Hawkeyes have scored 90 points or more in 11 games under Coach Bluder.
OVERTIME BLUES
Iowa’s game at Iowa State last Wednesday was the third overtime game in the series history and the first double overtime contest. Iowa State has a 2-1 advantage in overtime games between the two schools. It was the first overtime game for Iowa since falling to NC State (69-66) on Nov. 29, 2002 in the first round of the LMU Thanksgiving Classic. Furthermore, it marked only the second time Iowa has ever played in a double overtime game in its 30-year program history. Michigan State defeated the Hawkeyes (71-70) on Jan. 15, 1995 in East Lansing, MI. Iowa is 2-4 in overtime games under Coach Bluder.
SEASON TICKETS
Hawkeye fans can purchase a season ticket package for only $70 for the 2003-04 season. Senior citizens and faculty/staff can purchase season tickets for $56, while the price for students is $35. There is also a “Family Pack” for $145 that includes admission for two adults and two youths. Tickets can be purchased online by logging on to www.hawkeyesports.com or by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS. Fans may also order tickets in person at the UI Ticket Office.
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
Northern Iowa enters Monday’s contest with the Hawkeyes with an 0-3 record. The Panthers dropped a 70-61 decision at Illinois-Chicago on Dec. 4 in their last game. Northern Iowa had two players post double-doubles in the loss. Junior Alex Cook scored 19 points and collected 10 rebounds, while sophomore Kim Hansen tallied 15 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The Panthers shot only 21-63 (.333) from the field, including converting only 1-15 (.067) from beyond the arc.
Senior Amy Swisher leads Northern Iowa in scoring (14.3 ppg) and ranks third in rebounding (7.7). Cook ranks first in rebounding (9.3 rpg) and second in scoring (12.3 ppg). Junior Emily Berry ranks third on the squad in scoring (11.7 ppg), while Hansen ranks fourth in scoring (10.7 ppg) and second in rebounding (8.3 rpg).
Tony DiCecco is in his eighth season as a college head coach, all at Northern Iowa. DiCecco’s overall record is 115-112 (.507).
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
This will be the ninth meeting between the two schools. Iowa holds a 7-1 advantage in the series that began with a Northern Iowa win (83-39) in Cedar Falls in 1975. Since that loss, the Hawkeyes have won seven straight over the Panthers. Iowa won last year’s game (98-68) in Iowa City. Iowa and Northern Iowa did not play each other from 1984-2002. The Hawkeyes own a 3-1 edge in games played in Cedar Falls.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Northern Iowa and Iowa share four common opponents: Houston, Iowa State, Drake and Creighton. The Panthers lost to Houston (63-58) in overtime in their season opener. Northern Iowa has yet to play Iowa State (Dec. 30), Drake (Jan. 22, Feb. 22) and Creighton (Jan. 25, Feb. 20).
Iowa lost to Houston (70-64) and Iowa State (101-94, 2OT). The Hawkeyes will face Drake (Dec. 21) and Creighton (Dec. 28) later this month.
LAST MEETING
Iowa defeated Northern Iowa (98-68) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes out-rebounded the Panthers 69-37. The 69 rebounds broke the school and Carver-Hawkeye Arena records for Iowa. The previous school record was 62 set in 1977 vs. Iowa Wesleyan, while the arena record for Iowa was 61 against Wisconsin in 1993. Washington holds the arena rebounding record for all teams when it pulled down 70 rebounds in its double overtime win over Northern Illinois in the 1991 Hawkeye Challenge.
Iowa’s 98 points tied as the sixth-highest scoring output in school history. It also marked the second-highest scoring output in Carver-Hawkeye Arena next to its 99-point outburst vs. Western Illinois in the 2000 Hawkeye Challenge.
All 13 players scored for the Hawkeyes, including four players in double figures. Kristi Faulkner added 16 points and five rebounds. Jennie Lillis scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Jenna Armstrong scored 10 points and collected two steals. Becca McCann and Tiffany Reedy pulled down nine rebounds to post career highs and lead Iowa in rebounding.
Emily Berry scored 15 points, while Amy Swisher tallied 11 points for the Panthers.
Iowa recorded 23 assists in the win, marking the third consecutive game that it collected 20 assists or more. The Hawkeyes also registered 13 steals and six blocks.
RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 32nd in the RPI rankings and ranks 31st in strength of schedule. Northern Iowa ranks 246th in the RPI and 91st in strength of schedule. The rankings are updated daily on www.collegerpi.com.
RICHARDS HAS ANOTHER CAREER GAME VS. ISU
Last year point guard Lindsay Richards posted career highs in points (11), field goals made (4) and attempted (5), rebounds (4) and minutes played (23) against Iowa State.
Richards duplicated her career efforts at Iowa State on Dec. 3. The sophomore scored a career-high 12 points, bolstered by 2-4 shooting from three-point range. She also played in a career-high 43 minutes.
CENTURY MARK
Iowa State became the sixth Iowa opponent in its 30-year program history to score 100 points or more. The 101 points tie as the fourth-most scoring output the Hawkeyes have ever yielded. The Hawkeyes have yielded 100 points or more to a road opponent three of the last four years. Southwest Missouri State tallied 101 points in 2000, while No.4 Kansas State collected 103 points last season.
REMMERDE STILL SIDELINED
Hawkeye freshman Deb Remmerde, who suffered a stress fracture in her left foot during a practice in early November, will remain sidelined for Monday’s contest. Coach Bluder is hoping to have Remmerde back by Iowa’s next home game vs. Kansas State on Dec. 12. The native of Rock Valley, IA, is the Iowa High School all-time scoring leader and was named Iowa’s Miss Basketball her senior year.
SOLVERSON CRASHES THE BOARDS
Johanna Solverson pulled down a team-high nine rebounds at Iowa State and Marquette. The sophomore has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding in 4-of-6 games this season. Solverson led Iowa in rebounding in two games all of last year. She ranks first on the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.0 rpg).
The native of Lake Zurich, IL, collected a then-career-high nine rebounds twice last year. Already this year, she has posted rebounding games of 13 (vs. Saint Joseph’s) and nine (at Iowa State and at Marquette).
SMITH HAS CAREER GAME
Sophomore Crystal Smith has had a good start to the 2003-04 season, putting together a career game in Iowa’s contest at Florida International. The native of Haughton, LA, scored a career-high 10 points on 4-5 from the field, bolstered by a perfect 2-2 from three-point range. She also collected four rebounds, three of which were offensive, and two steals.
Smith as been Coach Bluder’s first guard off the bench in Iowa’s first six games.
RAINING THREES
Iowa converted 5-10 (.500) three-pointers at Marquette The Hawkeyes have drained nine triples in three of their last four contests. Iowa has sank at least one three-pointer in 154 consecutive games. It is a streak that has occurred over a span of seven seasons. The last time the Hawkeyes did not make a three-pointer was against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 1998.
HAWKEYES EARN TOURNAMENT HONORS
Kristi Faulkner was named the 2003 FIU Thanksgiving Classic Most Valuable Player. The senior averaged 20.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.5 apg in the two games. Senior Jennie Lillis, who averaged 17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 2.5 apg was named to the all-tournament team.
The honor was Faulkner’s first of her career in a holiday tournament, while Lillis was named to a holiday tournament all-tournament team for the sixth time in her career.
HAWKEYES WIN FIU THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
Iowa defeated Saint Joseph’s (62-58) in a thriller in the first round of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic played in Miami, FL. In a game that saw six lead changes and seven ties, Iowa rallied to win its second game of the year. Trailing 55-50 with 4:30 left the Hawkeyes ended the game on a 12-3 run, including scoring the game’s final seven points.
Senior Jennie Lillis led the Hawkeyes, posting her first double-double of the season and 16th of her career (19 points, 10 rebounds). Sophomore Johanna Solverson added seven points and collected a career-high 13 rebounds. Senior Kristi Faulkner contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Hawkeyes cruised to a 93-86 victory over host school Florida International in the championship game. Five players scored in double figures for the Hawkeyes. Faulkner scored a game-high 26 points and collected four rebounds, Lillis posted 15 points and six rebounds, junior Jamie Cavey registered 13 points and eight rebounds, while sophomores Crystal Smith and Lindsay Richards each added 10 points.
ONE AND THE BONUS
Jennie Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 94-of-99 games she has played during her three-year career. Lillis has converted 341-459 free throws in her four-year career. Last weekend, she broke the school record for career free throw attempts and is 50 free throws made from breaking the career free throws made record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).
IOWA CAPTURES SECOND IN HAWKEYE CHALLENGE
For the first time in seven years, Iowa did not win its annual tournament. The Hawkeyes won their first round contest over Butler (83-60), but lost to Houston (70-64) in the championship game last weekend. The Cougars snapped Iowa’s 11-game tournament winning streak.
Iowa had four starters score in double figures to lead the Hawkeyes to a 23-point season-opening win. The victory improved Iowa’s record to 4-0 in season openers under Coach Bluder.
A superior effort by tournament MVP Chandi Jones lifted Houston past the Hawkeyes in the championship game. The nation’s leading scorer last year, scored 25 of her game-high 34 points in the second half to propel the Cougars to victory.
Cavey led Iowa with 18 points and six rebounds. Lillis scored all of her 14 points in the second half, while senior Kristi Faulkner added 16 points and five rebounds.
TWO HAWKEYES NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Junior Jamie Cavey and senior Jennie Lillis were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament Team. It marked the third time Lillis earned the accolade, including being named the MVP last year. Cavey’s honor marked the first time that she was named to the Hawkeye Challenge all-Tournament squad in her three years with the Black and Gold.
FAULKNER ON PACE TO SCHOOL RECORD
Senior Kristi Faulkner has converted .842 (197-234) of her free throw attempts during her three years with the Hawkeyes. She is on pace to break Lindsey Meder’s school record of .799 (287-359) set 1998-2002.
THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players with the first name Lindsay (Geoffroy and Richards). The Hawkeyes also have two Jennie’s on its team. Senior forward Jennie Lillis and athletic trainer Jennie Hartgrave.
LILLIS NAMED TO WADE TROPHY WATCH LIST
Senior forward Jennie Lillis is one of 35 players named to the 2004 State Farm Wade Trophy Watch List. This prestigious award is presented to the nation’s top player.
Lillis, who is a three-time captain, was an all-Big Ten first team selection last year by the media and a second team choice by the media her sophomore season. Lillis was also named to the preseason all-Big Ten squad for the second straight year.
Garnered as “The Mother of Modern Women’s Collegiate Basketball,” Lily Margaret Wade pioneered an unprecedented dynasty in women’s basketball, which led to the growth and popularity of the sport during the 1970s.
Highlighting the 2004 list is last year’s recipient, Connecticut senior Diana Taurasi. Lillis is one of five Big Ten players named to the list. Other league players include Penn State senior Kelly Mazzante, Purdue senior Shereka Wright, Minnesota senior Lindsay Whalen and junior Janel McCarville.
Jennie Lillis NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
For the second consecutive year, senior Jennie Lillis was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten team at the annual Big Ten Conference Media Day held Oct. 26 in Rosemont, IL. The three-time captain was the only player to be ranked in the top ten in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocks in the Big Ten last year.
CENTER OF ATTENTION
For the fourth consecutive season, Iowa started its season with a new starting center. Junior Jamie Cavey has solidified herself as Iowa’s starting center in preseason practice.
Since Coach Bluder began coaching the Hawkeyes in 2000 Iowa has had a different center start the season. Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02) and Tracy Schrupp (2002-03). Peterson, Bullock and Schrupp were all seniors. Cavey is the first junior starting center Coach Bluder has coached at Iowa.
Jennie Lillis CONTINUES TO RISE
Senior Jennie Lillis has been Iowa’s leader on and off the court the last couple years. The native of Urbandale, IA, averaged 14.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.6 apg her sophomore season and 16.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg last season. She has started all but one game in her career and currently has 1,389 career points, which is seventh-best on Iowa’s career scoring chart. She also has collected 683 rebounds, which is ninth-best all-time. Lillis is on pace to finish her career in the top-five in career rebounding and top 10 in career scoring. Lillis, who was a WBCA Region 6 All-American Honorable Mention last year, was the only Big Ten athlete ranked in the top 10 in the conference in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals.
Lillis started the 2003-04 season strong, collecting 13 points or more and in all six games. She posted her first double-double of the season and 16th of her career vs. Saint Joseph’s (19 points, 10 rebounds).
Lillis is 210 points from moving into sixth in career scoring and nine rebounds from sliding into the No. 8 position in career rebounds.
CAVEY PACES HAWKEYES
Jamie Cavey has been a force in the post for Iowa. Cavey ranks second on the squad in scoring (16.2 ppg) and third in rebounding (5.5 rpg). In addition, she has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in 4-of-6 games, scoring 20 points or more in two contests. The native of Mechanicsville, IA, scored 23 points (11-16 FG, 1-2 FT) in only 25 minutes of play at Iowa State. Her 11 field goals made tied a career high, while her 16 attempts set a new career high. She posted a team-high 15 points, bolstered by converting a career-high 7-8 from the free throw line at Marquette. She scored the game’s final five points to help preserve the come-from-behind victory.
Cavey is tied for the Big Ten lead in field goal percentage (.667) and ranks 10th in scoring (16.4).
CAVEY IMPROVES AT THE CHARITY STRIPE
Jamie Cavey’s free throw shooting is just one aspect of her game that she has improved on this year. Cavey has converted 21-31 (.677) from the charity stripe in six games this year. Last year, she made 38-72 (.528) of her attempts.
FAULKNER RISES TO THE TOP
After a sluggish start to the 2003-04 season, senior Kristi Faulkner has returned to form. The native of Glen Ellyn, IL, scored 48 in Iowa’s last two road games. Faulkner registered a game-high 26 points at Florida International and 22 points at Iowa State. She made a season-high four three-pointers against the Cyclones. Faulkner ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.3 ppg), three-pointers made (13), attempted (30) and percentage (.433). She has also been crashing the boards. She ranks fourth on the team in rebounding (4.2 rpg).
Faulkner was a third team all-Big Ten honoree last year.
PAINT JOB
Iowa has out-scored its opponents in the paint 194-166. The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents in the paint in 5-of-6 games. Saint Joseph’s in the only squad to out-score Iowa in the paint this season.
ATTRACTIVE HOME GAMES
Iowa opened its 13-game regular season home schedule with the annual KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge on Nov. 21-22. Besides eight exciting Big Ten Conference home games, Iowa hosts Big 12 power Kansas State (Dec. 12), in-state rival Drake (Dec. 21) and last year’s Missouri Valley Conference co-champions Creighton Bluejays (Dec. 28).
The Hawkeyes play every Big Ten school twice except Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State. Iowa will play the Buckeyes and Wolverines at home, while it will visit the Wildcats and Spartans.
IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa home games will be available live on the internet. The statistical program allows viewers to read the play-by-play action just moments after it takes place, and to view all individual and team statistics while the game is in progress.
The program can be accessed through www.hawkeyesports.com and then clicking on the Gametracker link.
NUTHIN’ BUT NET
Catch all the University of Iowa women’s basketball games over the Internet at www.hawkeyesports.com. Fans can listen to live or replay previously played games. Just click on the “Multimedia” link near the top of the page.
“HAWK TALK WITH LISA BLUDER”
Catch “Hawk Talk with Lisa Bluder”, the radio call-in program featuring Iowa Hawkeye women’s head coach Lisa Bluder, on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids from 6-7 p.m. This week’s show airs Wednesday due to Iowa’s game at Northern Iowa Monday. The show is broadcast live from the Chili’s Restaurant in Coralville. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600.
“THE Lisa Bluder TV SHOW”
“The Lisa Bluder Show” returns for its second season. Fans can watch the show once a month on KCRG-TV 9. The show includes interviews with Coach Bluder and players and feature stories. Below is a list of the dates and times.
Saturday, December 20 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 – 5 p.m.
NEXT ACTION
Iowa finally returns home to the friendly confines of Carver-Hawkeye Arena after a five-game road trip to host nationally ranked Kansas State Friday, Dec. 12. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. The Hawkeyes’ last home game was against Houston on Nov. 22.