Iowa To Host No. 11 Kansas State

Dec. 9, 2003

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THE SETTING
Iowa (5-2) returns home after five-straight road games to host No. 11 Kansas State (5-2) Friday at 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.

The Hawkeyes will play four of their next five games at home, including their next three contests. Iowa’s last home game was on Nov. 22 vs. Houston. Two of Iowa’s next three opponents are from the Big XII Conference (Kansas State and Missouri).

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 824 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 503-321 (.610). That includes a 266-138 (.658) mark in Big Ten games and a 221-49 (.819) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa defeated in-state rival Northern Iowa, 76-67, at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls on Monday. The victory was the Hawkeyes’ eighth-straight over the Panthers.

The Hawkeyes posted another come-from-behind victory, out-scoring Northern Iowa, 23-10 and allowing only two Panther field goals in the final 8:45 of the game. Jamie Cavey fueled Iowa’s comeback, scoring 11 of her 15 points in the final 6:43. Senior Kristi Faulkner scored a team-high 17 points, while Jennie Lillis collected 11 points and a team-high six rebounds. The senior also dished out a career-high seven assists.

Iowa out-scored Northern Iowa, 32-22 in the paint and 22-6 in bench points.

The game was Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s 100th Iowa game, while Lillis played in her 100th contest while wearing the Black and Gold.

EXCITING ACTION EARLY
Five of Iowa’s first seven games this year have been decided by seven points or less, including one double overtime thriller. Iowa had six games decided by seven points or less all of last year.

ONE AND THE BONUS
Senior Jennie Lillis has converted 346-464 (.746) of her free throw attempts in her career. She made all five attempts in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa Monday night. The native of Urbandale, IA, is the school record holder for free throw attempts (464) and is 45 free throws made from breaking the school record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).

Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 95-of-100 games she has played.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Kansas State is Iowa’s first ranked opponent this year. Iowa has recorded at least one home win over a ranked opponent in each of the last three years under Coach Bluder. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:

At Home: 80-75 over 12th-ranked Penn State, 2/16/03
On the Road: 76-64 over 16th-ranked Wisconsin, 2/7/02
Neutral Court: 80-77 over 13th-ranked Minnesota, 3/7/03

COMEBACK KIDS
Iowa has trailed by as many as eight points in the first half in its last three games. The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 13 points at Iowa State and 10 at Marquette. Iowa fought back against the Cyclones, only to fall in double overtime (101-94). The Hawkeyes rallied to win their next two contests at Marquette (65-62) and at Northern Iowa (76-67). Iowa ended the game on a 16-3 run at Marquette and 23-10 at Northern Iowa to lift the Hawkeyes to victory.

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.

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 seven 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 seven games, matching its total all of last year.

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 figures. 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.

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.

SCOUTING NO. 11 KANSAS STATE
The Wildcats enter Friday’s game on a three-game winning streak, including winning their annual Wildcat Classic last weekend. Kansas State has had five days to prepare for the Hawkeyes, with its last game being played against Saint Louis on Dec. 6. All five starters scored in double figures against the Billikens, including Megan Mahoney posting a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds). Kendra Wecker scored a game-high 18 points, while Laurie Koehn tallied 17 points.

Wecker ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (9.4). Koehn, who scored a career-high 33 points against Iowa last year, ranks second in scoring (15.4) and first in three-pointers made (25). Nicole Ohlde ranks third in scoring (11.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (5.7 rpg).

Kansas State was picked to finish second, behind Texas, in the always tough Big 12 Conference. Ohlde was named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year.

Deb Patterson is in her eighth season as a head coach, all at Kansas State. Patterson’s overall record is 131-91 (.590).

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Friday will be only the third meeting between the two schools and the first in Iowa City. Kansas State leads the series 2-0. The Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes (93-80) in 1979 and (103-60) in 2003. Both games were played in Manhattan, KS.

LAST MEETING
Fourth-ranked Kansas State handed Iowa its eighth-worst defeat in history as the Wildcats dropped the Hawkeyes, 103-60, in the Big XII/Big Ten Challenge in Bramlage Coliseum.

Kansas State guard Laurie Koehn returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with an injured ankle and scored a career-high 33 points (11-15 FG, 1-2 FT). Not only did she record a career high in points, but also drained a school record 10 three-pointers in the process. Eight of her three-pointers came in the first half, including converting on seven of her first eight attempts.

Koehn and her Wildcat teammates shot a blistering 67.7 percent (21-31) in the first half to take a 56-37 halftime advantage.

It was more of the same in the second half as Kansas State’s hot shooting continued, opening the half on an 8-0 run. The Wildcats finished the game making 64.5 percent (40-62) of their field goal attempts, including 65.2 percent (15-23) from behind the arc. Kansas State’s 15 three-pointers are the most three-pointers ever allowed by an Iowa team in a single-game.

Jennie Lillis and Kristi Faulkner led Iowa in the loss. Faulkner, led the Hawkeyes with 20 points (6-16 FG, 7-8 FT), while Lillis tallied 19 points (8-20 FG, 3-4 FT), grabbed four rebounds and collected three assists.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 63rd in the RPI rankings and ranks 94th in strength of schedule. Kansas State ranks 30th in both the RPI and strength of schedule. The rankings are updated daily on www.collegerpi.com.

REMMERDE QUESTIONABLE FOR FRIDAY
Hawkeye freshman Deb Remmerde, who suffered a stress fracture in her left foot during a practice in early November, is questionable in making her return Friday. If she does not return Friday, Remmerde will likely make her debut vs. Drake on Dec. 21.

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.

RAINING THREES
Iowa converted 3-8 (.375) three-pointers at Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes have drained nine triples in three of their last five contests. Iowa has sank at least one three-pointer in 155 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.

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.

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.

KASPEREK SPELLS RELIEF
Sophomore Morgan Kasperek had a career game at Northern Iowa on Monday. Kasperek, who saw significant minutes due to Jennie Lillis and Jamie Cavey getting in foul trouble, posted career highs in minutes (14), points (6), field goals made (3) and attempted (5), assists (1), blocks (1) and steals (1).

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.

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-7 games this season. Solverson led Iowa in rebounding in two games all of last year. She ranks first on the Hawkeyes in rebounding (6.3).

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 seven games.

FAULKNER ON PACE TO SCHOOL RECORD
Senior Kristi Faulkner has converted .840 (200-238) 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 11 points or more and in all seven 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 199 points from moving into sixth in career scoring and only three 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 (16.0) and third in rebounding (5.5). In addition, she has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in 4-of-7 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 scored 11 of her 15 points in the final 6:43 at Northern Iowa to help propel the Hawkeyes to their fifth victory of the season.

Cavey ranks third in the Big Ten lead in field goal percentage (.643) and ranks 10th in scoring (16.0).

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 22-36 (.611) from the charity stripe in seven 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 (16.4), three-pointers made (15), attempted (33). She has also been crashing the boards. She ranks fourth on the team in rebounding (4.1).

Faulkner was a third team all-Big Ten honoree last year.

PAINT JOB
Iowa has out-scored its opponents in the paint 226-188. The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents in the paint in 6-of-7 games. Saint Joseph’s in the only squad to out-score Iowa in the paint this season.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten Conference in assists (18.0), scoring (76.7), three-pointers made (6.14) and offensive rebounds, fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.387) and rebounding (38.7) and fifth in free throw percentage (.717).

Jamie Cavey ranks third in field goal percentage (.643) and 10th in scoring (16.0 ppg). Kristi Faulkner ranks ninth in scoring (16.4) and sixth in three-pointers made (2.14). Johanna Solverson ranks 11th in rebounding (6.3).

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 Monday nights 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. 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’s three game homestand continues when it hosts Drake on Dec. 21 at 2:07 p.m. (KCRG-TV 9 telecast) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will look to avenge last year’s two losses to Creighton when the Bluejays visit Iowa City on Dec. 28. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m.