Dec. 15, 2003
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THE SETTING
Iowa (5-3) hosts Drake (3-4) Sunday at 2:07 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.
Drake is the Hawkeyes’ second of three opponents from the Missouri Valley Conference. Iowa defeated Northern Iowa (76-67) on Dec. 8 in Cedar Falls and hosts Creighton on Dec. 28.
ON THE TUBE
KCRG-TV9 will televise Sunday’s game live. John Campbell, Amy Herrig and Scott Saville will call the action.
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 825 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 503-322 (.610). That includes a 266-138 (.658) mark in Big Ten games and a 221-50 (.815) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
LAST TIME OUT
Kansas State jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead and never looked back as the 11th-ranked Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes, 82-60, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Dec. 12.
The Wildcats shot 58.8 percent (30-51) from the field, including a blistering 50 percent (10-20) from 3-point range. Iowa stayed within striking distance for most of the contest, but finished with season lows in points (60), rebounds (21) and free throws made (8) and attempted (10).
Iowa was led by Jamie Cavey, who posted a team-high 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-4 FT). Jennie Lillis collected 16 points (6-11 FG, 1-2 FT) and a game and season-high six steals, while Kristi Faulkner added 10 points (3-6 FG, 2-2 FT) and three assists.
The Hawkeyes were without the services of sophomore Johanna Solverson, their leading rebounder. Solverson was sidelined due to an injured left ankle. Sophomore Tiffany Reedy tallied four points and three assists as her replacement.
EXCITING ACTION EARLY
Five of Iowa’s first eight 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.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 3
Iowa has lost its last two home games and have lost three-straight home contests only once before, dating back to the 1999-00 season — a span of 60 home games. Also, Jennie Lillis made a career-high three 3-pointers vs. KSU.
ONE AND THE BONUS
Senior Jennie Lillis has converted 347-466 (.745) of her free throw attempts in her career. She has made 32-39 (.842) of her attempts this season. The native of Urbandale, IA, is the school record holder for free throw attempts (466) and is 44 free throws made from breaking the school record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).
Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 96-of-101 games she has played, including all eight games this year.
SCOUTING DRAKE
The Bulldogs enter Sunday’s game with the Hawkeyes with a 3-4 overall record and 1-2 mark in road games. Drake dropped its last game at Saint Louis (72-58) on Dec. 13. The story of the game was rebounding and free throw shooting. The Bulldogs converted only 52.9 percent (9-17) of their free throws and were out-rebounded 38-24 by the Billikens. Whitney Pegram paced Drake scoring 16 points and blocking six shots off the bench. The six blocks tie for the second-most by a player at Drake in a single game.
Drake is led by Linda Sayavongchanh. The sophomore ranks first on the team in scoring (9.3) and steals (3.14) and second in assists (3.0). Freshman Jill Martin ranks second in scoring (9.0) and first in rebounding (5.9), while freshman Erin Dohrman ranks third in scoring (7.7) and rebounding (3.9).
The Bulldogs are coached by Amy Stephens, who is in her first season with Drake. This is her ninth year as a head coach after serving eight years as head coach at Nebraska-Kearney. Her overall record stands at 200-47 (.810).
COACHING TIES
Lisa Bluder has coached against Amy Stephens before. Stephens was an assistant coach at Iowa State from 1992-94, where Bluder’s Drake teams defeated the Cyclones 57-43 in 1992 and 85-47 in 1993.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Sunday’s game will be the 36th meeting between the two schools. Drake holds a 24-11 series advantage, including winning four of the last five meetings. Iowa snapped a four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs last year in Des Moines. The Hawkeyes defeated Drake 72-52 in the Knapp Center.
Drake holds a 10-6 edge in games played in Iowa City, including winning the last two contests in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Furthermore, two of the last three games played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena have gone into overtime. The Bulldogs defeated Iowa (75-72) in 2001, while the Hawkeyes bounced Drake (63-60) in 1995.
Both Iowa and Drake have played one overtime game this season and lost. The Hawkeyes fell at Iowa State in double overtime (101-94), while the Bulldogs lost to Maine (63-62) at home.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Drake and Iowa share four common opponents: Iowa State, Marquette, Michigan and Minnesota. The Bulldogs defeated Iowa State (61-36) and Michigan (70-55), but lost to Marquette (60-57) and Minnesota (73-50).
Iowa lost at Iowa State (101-94) in double overtime, but rallied to defeat Marquette (65-62). The Hawkeyes will play Minnesota home and away and Michigan at home as part of their conference schedule.
LAST MEETING
Iowa ended a four-game losing streak to Drake as the Hawkeyes defeated the Bulldogs 72-52 in the Knapp Center. This was Coach Bluder’s first victory over her former team and the first for Iowa since 1997. It also marked Iowa’s first win at Drake since 1993.
Iowa took a 29-26 lead into halftime, out-shooting Drake 44.8 percent (13-29) to 33.3 percent (11-33) from the field. Iowa did a nice job of passing as nine of Iowa’s 13 field goals in the first half were lay-ups. Becca McCann and Jamie Cavey were the keys to Iowa’s success in the first half, as the duo came off the bench and combined for 14 points on 7-7 shooting. McCann scored a career-high eight points (4-4 FG), while Cavey tallied six points (3-3 FG) in the first half.
Iowa’s offense exploded in the second half making 13 of its first 15 field goal attempts and out-scoring Drake 20-6 in the first seven minutes to gain control. The Hawkeyes shot a blazing 66.7 percent (18-27 FG) in the second half, which is the third highest shooting percentage by a Drake opponent in history in one half. Iowa finished the game making 55.4 percent (31-56) of its shots. Conversely, Drake was having trouble finding the basket the entire contest, shooting 31.7 percent (20-63) from the field, including 11.1 percent (2-18) from beyond the arc.
Three Hawkeyes scored in double figures, with Jennie Lillis leading the pack. Lillis registered 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-2 FT) and six rebounds. Kristi Faulkner added 12 points (5-9 FG).
RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 62nd in the RPI rankings and 106th in strength of schedule. Drake ranks 81st in the RPI rankings and 50th in strength of schedule. As a conference the Big Ten ranks first ahead of the Big XII and Pac-10. The rankings are updated every Monday by the WBCA.
Ten of the 11 Big Ten schools are over .500, with Michigan a game under at 5-6. Penn State ranks No. 2 in the latest RPI rankings, followed by Purdue (9), Minnesota (12) and Michigan State (23).
REMMERDE RETURNS TO ACTION
Hawkeye freshman Deb Remmerde, who suffered a stress fracture in her left foot during a practice in early November, saw her first game action this year last week vs. Kansas State. Remmerde played the final two minutes and recorded one foul. The native of Rock Valley, IA, will likely see more minutes against Drake.
Remmerde is the Iowa High School all-time scoring leader and was named Iowa’s Miss Basketball her senior year.
SOLVERSON MISSES KANSAS STATE GAME
Sophomore Johanna Solverson missed her first collegiate game of her career last week vs. Kansas State with an injured ankle. The game snapped a 34-game starting streak for the Lake Zurich, IL, native. Sophomore Tiffany Reedy replaced Solverson in the starting lineup and scored four points and dished out three assists. Solverson is expected back for Sunday’s contest against Drake.
DID YOU KNOW…
Johanna Solverson’s father played football at Drake. He also played football for the Washington Redskins of the NFL.
RAINING THREES
Iowa converted 6-13 (.462) 3-pointers vs. Kansas State. The Hawkeyes have drained nine triples in three of their last six contests. Iowa has sank at least one three-pointer in 156 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.
SLOW STARTS
Iowa has trailed by as many as eight points in the first half in its last four games. The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 13 points at Iowa State, 10 at Marquette, eight at Northern Iowa and 15 vs. Kansas State. 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), but fell to 11th-ranked Kansas State (82-60). Iowa ended the game on a 16-3 run at Marquette and 23-10 at Northern Iowa to lift the Hawkeyes to victory.
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 eight 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 eight games, matching its total all of last year.
KASPEREK SPELLS RELIEF
Sophomore Morgan Kasperek had a career game at Northern Iowa on Dec. 8. 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).
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 she has played this season. Solverson led Iowa in rebounding in two games all of last year. She ranks first on the Hawkeyes and 10th in the Big Ten 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 eight games.
FAULKNER ON PACE TO SCHOOL RECORD
Senior Kristi Faulkner has converted .842 (202-240) 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.
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 CONTINUES TO CLIMB CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jennie Lillis is a leader on and off the court. The native of Urbandale, IA, has started all but one game in her career and currently has 1,416 career points, which ranks seventh on Iowa’s career scoring chart. She also has collected 694 rebounds, which is eighth-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 also spends some of her free time at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clincs, was a preseason all-Big Ten sleection the last two years.
Lillis drained a career-high three 3-pointers vs. Kansas State last week. She has made five 3-pointers this year, matching her last year’s total. Lillis has made 11 career 3-pointers.
The three-time captain started the 2003-04 season strong, collecting 11 points or more and in all eight 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 183 points from moving into sixth in career scoring and 33 rebounds from sliding into the No. 7 position in career rebounds.
CAVEY PACES HAWKEYES
Jamie Cavey has been a force in the post for Iowa. Cavey ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.5) and second in rebounding (5.0). In addition, she has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in 5-of-8 games, scoring 20 points or more in three 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. She scored 20 points (8-15 FG, 4-4 FT) vs. Kansas State.
Cavey ranks fourth in the Big Ten lead in field goal percentage (.624) and ranks ninth in scoring (16.5).
CAVEY LEADS TEAM IN SCORING
Jamie Cavey leads Iowa in scoring after eight games. Cavey becomes the first Hawkeye other than Jennie Lillis or Kristi Faulkner to lead Iowa in scoring since Tiffany Reedy ranked first on the squad after its first two games last year. Lillis or Faulkner held down the top spot for 38-straight contests.
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 26-40 (.650) from the charity stripe in eight 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, 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 second on the squad in scoring (15.6), first in three-pointers made (17) and percentage (.472).
Faulkner was a third team all-Big Ten honoree last year.
ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 27th in the nation in attendance (2,824). The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest Big Ten team ranked. Purdue ranks fifth, followed by Penn State (6), Wisconsin (10), Minnesota (12) and Michigan State (19). Rankings are as of Dec. 15.
PAINT JOB
Iowa has out-scored its opponents in the paint 244-224. The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents in the paint in 6-of-8 games. Saint Joseph’s (26-10) and Kansas State (36-18) are the only squads to out-score Iowa in the paint this season.
HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
Iowa has eight regular season games that will be televised this year. KCRG-TV9 has already broadcast Iowa games vs. Houston and at Iowa State and is slated to show three more (Drake, Dec. 21; Wisconsin, Jan. 18; Ohio State, Feb. 5). Fox Sports Chicago will televise Iowa’s game vs. Purdue (Feb. 10) and at Illinois (Feb. 29). Fox Sports North will televise the Hawkeyes’ game at Minnesota (Jan. 11).
BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten Conference in assists (17.5), 3-pointers made (6.12) and percentage (.395), fourth in scoring (74.6) and fifth in free throw percentage (.723).
Jamie Cavey ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.624) and ninth in scoring (16.5 ppg). Kristi Faulkner ranks 11th in scoring (15.6) and sixth in three-pointers made (2.12) and percentage (.472). Johanna Solverson ranks 10th in rebounding (6.3).
Iowa boasts the conference team high in field goal attempts (80 – at Iowa State) and 3-point attempts (26 – vs. Saint Joseph’s) in a game.
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.
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 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 show will take a two-week holiday break and return on Jan. 5.
“THE Lisa Bluder TV SHOW”
“The Lisa Bluder Show” returns for its second season. Fans can watch the show once a month on KCRG-TV9. 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 will host its final non-conference game of the year when last year’s co-Missouri Valley champion Creighton Bluejays visits Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, December 28 at 2 p.m. (KCRG-TV9 telecast). The Hawkeyes then play at Missouri on Tuesday, December 30 in Columbia, MO, at 1:05 p.m.