Jan. 26, 2004
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THE SETTING
Iowa (10-7, 4-2) travels to Northwestern (7-11, 0-7) Thursday for the teams’ only regular season meeting. Tip-off is 7:05 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117). The Hawkeyes are riding a season-high three game winning streak and are alone in fourth place in the Big Ten standings.
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 834 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 508-326 (.609). That includes a 270-140 (.659) mark in Big Ten games and a 226-51 (.816) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
BIG TEN TOURNAMENT TICKETS
Tickets are available for the 2004 Big Ten Women’s Tournament in Indianapolis, IN. The event is held March 4-8 in the Conseco Fieldhouse. An all-session (10 games) ticket costs $55. Fans interested in sitting in the Iowa section can call the UI Ticket Office at 1-800-IA-HAWKS.
LAST TIME OUT
Ten Hawkeyes scored at least two points in a 69-58 win over Michigan in Iowa City last Sunday. It was the only regular season meeting between the two schools this season.
Iowa trailed Michigan by eight points (25-17) with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Hawkeyes ended the half on a 16-3 run to give them a five-point halftime advantage.
Iowa’s momentum carried into the second half, scoring the first eight points and building a 13-point lead (41-28) with 17:01 remaining. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 19 points in the second stanza en route to their third straight victory.
Jennie Lillis sparked the Hawkeyes, posting team highs in points (15) and rebounds (8). Jamie Cavey tallied 14 points and pulled down three rebounds. Johanna Solverson recorded eight points, six rebounds and three assists. Crystal Smith tallied eight points and four steals off the bench.
Iowa shot 44.8 percent (26-58), while Michigan shot only 30.6 percent (22-72). The Wolverines also struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 17.9 percent (5-28). Michigan did out-rebound the Hawkeyes (48-41), but Iowa dominated the paint offensively — out-scoring the Wolverines 38-24 in the post.
Michigan’s Jennifer Smith scored a game-high 17 points and collected seven rebounds, while Niki Reams pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds in the defeat.
Iowa’s Solverson and Kristi Faulkner did not see a lot of time on the floor, due to foul trouble. Solverson played only 15 minutes — two in the first half after two quick fouls, while Faulkner saw a season-low 23 minutes of action.
EXCITING ACTION EARLY
Six of Iowa’s first 17 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. In addition, the Hawkeyes’ game vs. Creighton was an overtime thriller, but the Bluejays pulled away in the extra session and won by 12.
THREE’S A CHARM
Iowa is the only Big Ten school to have three student-athletes ranked in the top 15 in conference scoring. Iowa’s three players include: Jamie Cavey (seventh), Jennie Lillis (eighth) and Kristi Faulkner (12th).
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern will look to snap a seven-game losing streak Thursday. The Wildcats’ last victory came against Hampton (58-45) on Dec. 29 in a holiday tournament played in Los Angeles, CA. Two of Northwestern’s last three losses have come in overtime (58-55 to Indiana and 67-57 to nationally ranked Michigan State).
Northwestern dropped its last contest at Wisconsin (69-53) on Sunday. The Badgers out-scored the Wildcats at the free throw line (16-7) and also out-rebounded Northwestern (43-26). Melissa Culver scored a game-high 17 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 FT) off the bench for Northwestern. Ifeoma Okonkwo scored 12 points, dished out five assists and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Okonkwo ranks second on the squad in scoring (10.6) and first in rebounding (5.9), free throw percentage (.750) and field goal percentage (.526). Sarah Kwasinski ranks third on the team in scoring (8.7) and first in blocks (18). As a team, Northwestern ranks 11th in the league in nine statistical categories (all games).
Four of Northwestern’s next six games are at home, but the Wildcats conclude the regular season with three consecutive road games.
June Olkowski is in her 15th year as a head coach and her fifth with Northwestern. Olkowski’s overall record is 178-237 (.429) and 30-99 (.233) with the Wildcats.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a commanding 32-12 advantage in the series, including winning the last six contests. The Hawkeyes boast a 14-5 mark in games played in Evanston. Iowa has won the last two and five of the last six in Evanston.
This will be Iowa’s first game at Northwestern since a 74-47 triumph on Dec. 22, 2001. The Hawkeyes and Wildcats played twice last year. Iowa was victorious in Iowa City (72-60) and the first round of the Big Ten Tournament (70-58).
IOWA, NORTHWESTERN NOTES
- Iowa’s roster includes four players from Chicagoland area: Lindsay Richards (Barrington), Kristi Faulkner (Glen Ellyn), Johanna Solverson (Lake Zurich) and Morgan Kasperek (Hinsdale).
- Iowa senior Jennie Lillis has started 109-110 games in her career. Her only missed start was her freshman year at Northwestern. She did not start because she was unable to attend the team’s shootaround the day of the game due to a family emergency. Lillis did play, collecting 10 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
- Lillis averages 13.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg in six games against the Wildcats. She posted double-doubles in both meetings last year.
COMMON OPPONENTS
Northwestern and Iowa share one common non-conference opponent: Creighton. The Hawkeyes lost to Creighton (84-72) in overtime in Iowa City. The Wildcats won their season opener against the Bluejays (59-41) in Evanston.
RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 44th in the latest RPI rankings and 37th in strength of schedule. Northwestern ranks 125th in the RPI and 61st in strength of schedule. Iowa is 5-0 against teams with an RPI over 100. As a conference the Big Ten ranks first ahead of the Big XII and Pac-10. The rankings are released daily at www.wbca.org.
Penn State ranks No. 2 in the RPI rankings, followed by Purdue (4), Minnesota (9) and Michigan State (11).
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In nine home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent by a 656-603 margin, shooting 45.1 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 40.0 shooting percentage. Iowa has also posted 163 assists to its opponents’ 114.
In eight games away from Iowa City, the Hawkeyes have been out-scored its opponent by a 616-580 margin. Iowa has a better 3-point shooting percentage on the road (.418) than at home (.355). The Hawkeyes also average 2.3 more rebounds on the road. Here are the home and away comparisons:
LAST MEETING
In a game that was far closer than the final score would indicate, Iowa advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament with a 70-58 triumph over Northwestern. The seventh-seeded Hawkeyes had their hands full with the 10th-seeded Wildcats, but a 27-point effort by Kristi Faulkner spurred Iowa to the victory.
Faulkner netted 17 of her 27 points in the first half, accounting for 61 percent of the Hawkeyes output in the opening 20 minutes, and also finished the game with a career-high nine rebounds.
As much as Faulkner’s contributions were crucial to the Iowa effort, it was the inspired play by senior Tracy Schrupp in the second half that helped the Hawkeyes rally from a six-point halftime deficit. Schrupp hit seven of her nine attempts from the floor for 18 points along with six boards and two assists. Schrupp did most of her damage in the second half – 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
Lillis added 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to bolster the Iowa effort.
After falling behind early in the contest, Iowa came back to tie Northwestern at 28, but Kristin Ambrose buried consecutive three-pointers to give the Wildcats the six-point cushion at the break. Ambrose was white-hot in the opening stanza, accumulating 19 points of her 22 points in the first half.
Iowa slowly climbed back to even in the second half and finally took their first lead since the first half, 43-42, on a pair of free throws by Schrupp with 13:37 remaining. Northwestern managed to build a lead of four points twice over the next eight minutes, but the Hawks rattled off a 7-0 run starting at the 5:35 mark to take control of the game.
Up a against a recharged Iowa defense, the Wildcats managed just five points in the final 5:35.
The victory was the first conference tournament win in the Conseco Fieldhouse for the Hawkeyes.
IOWA CRANKS UP THE OFFENSE
Iowa has posted 90 points or more in three games this year. The school record is six times, set during the 2001-02 season.
The Hawkeyes rank third in the Big Ten in scoring (73.4).
ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa ranks 24th in the nation in attendance (3,591). The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest Big Ten team ranked. Purdue ranks fifth, followed by Penn State (6), Minnesota (8), Wisconsin (13) and Michigan State (17). Rankings are as of Jan. 26.
LILLIS AMONG ELITE GROUP
Senior Jennie Lillis is among an elite group of Hawkeyes. Lillis is one of only five Iowa players to have amassed 1,500 points and 700 rebounds. The list includes Cindy Haugejorde, Toni Foster, Tangela Smith and Franthea Price.
Lillis is approaching two more milestones. The native of Urbandale, IA, can become only the third Hawkeye player to score 300 points or more in four seasons — if she scores 300 this season. Lillis scored 333 her freshman year, 429 her sophomore season and 537 last year. She has already tallied 268 points this season. Lills can also become the first-ever Hawkeye to rank in the top ten in the five major statistical categories at Iowa (scoring, rebounding, steals, assists and blocks). She already ranks in the top ten in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Lillis is one steal from cracking the top ten and 19 assists from making history.
THIEVING HAWKEYES
Iowa posted a season-high 17 steals vs. Drake on Dec. 21. The last time the Hawkeyes collected 17 thefts in a game was in an overtime win over IUPUI in last year’s season opener (11/23/02). Senior Jennie Lillis is Iowa’s leader in steals and ranks 10th in the Big Ten (1.88), while Crystal Smith ranks fifth in conference games only (2.5). Smith is the highest ranked non-starter in the group.
Iowa ranks sixth in the league (8.53) and have posted 10 steals or more in six games.
ONE AND THE BONUS
Senior Jennie Lillis has converted 379-507 (.748) of her free throw attempts in her career. She has made 64-79 (.810) of her attempts this season. The native of Urbandale, IA, is the school record holder for free throw attempts (507) and is 12 free throws made from breaking the school record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).
Lillis has attempted at least one free throw in 105-of-110 games she has played, including every game this year.
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 52-75 (.693) from the charity stripe this year. Last year, she made 38-72 (.528) of her attempts.
SOLVERSON RETURNS TO STARTING LINEUP
Sophomore Johanna Solverson returned to the starting lineup in Iowa’s 20-point win (66-46) vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 18. Solverson’s last start was in Iowa’s road win at Northern Iowa on Dec. 8. The 6-2 forward had one of her best complete games of the year against the Badgers. Solverson scored five points, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, dished out six assists, collected three steals and blocked a career-high four shots.
Solverson collected eight points, six rebounds and three assists in only 15 minutes of action vs. Michigan. She played only two minutes in the first half after receiving two quick fouls.
Solverson came off the bench to score a season-high 16 points and also pulled down three rebounds at Penn State on Jan. 8. She was a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field, including 3-3 from 3-point range. She was also 1-1 from the free throw line. That performance marked the first time in her career that she recorded a perfect shooting performance from the field.
Solverson missed the Kansas State game (Dec. 12) with an injured left ankle and came off the bench the following seven games.
Solverson ranks second on the Hawkeyes in rebounding (5.2). She pulled down a team-high nine rebounds at Iowa State and Marquette. The native of Lake Zurich, IL, has led the Hawkeyes six times in rebounding. She led Iowa in rebounding in two games all of last year. Solverson collected a then-career-high nine rebounds twice last year. Already this year, she has posted rebounding games of 13 (vs. Saint Joseph’s), 10 (vs. Wisconsin) and nine (at Iowa State and at Marquette).
FOUL PLAY
Jamie Cavey and Jennie Lillis fouled out Iowa’s last game vs. Michigan. Cavey has fouled out six times this year, while Lillis has fouled out five times. Lillis 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 15 times in Iowa’s first 16 games, topping its total all of last year (9).
RAINING THREES
Iowa converted 4-12 (.333) 3-pointers vs. Michigan. Iowa has made five or more 3-pointers in nine of its last 10 games. The Hawkeyes have made at least one three-pointer in 165 consecutive contests. 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.
SMITH HAVING BREAKOUT YEAR
Sophomore Crystal Smith has been Coach Bluder’s first guard off the bench this year, averaging 15.6 minutes per game. It can be argued that Smith is Iowa’s top defender, who ranks second on the team in steals (28) behind starter Jennie Lillis (32).
Smith had one of the best games of her career vs. Illinois and Minnesota. The native of Haughton, LA, matched her career high with 10 points, blocked her first career shot, collected a career-high four assists and grabbed four rebounds vs. the Illini. Smith collected seven points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and a career-high five steals at Minnesota. Her five steals came while guarding one of the conference’s and nation’s top players — Lindsay Whalen.
Smith scored a career-high 10 points on 4-5 from the field, bolstered by a perfect 2-2 from three-point range at Florida International. She also collected four rebounds, three of which were offensive, and two steals.
Smith scored seven of her eight points in the first half against the Hoosiers and finished the game with six rebounds. Five of her six rebounds were offensive — a career high.
She has collected two or more steals eight times, including posting 14 steals (3.5) in Iowa’s last four contests.
QUICK HITS
- Sophomore Morgan Kasperek attempted her first career 3-pointer and drained it in the Hawkeyes’ game vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 18).
- Iowa is 8-0 this year when leading at the half and when holding opponents to 69 points or less.
- Jamie Cavey scored career point No. 500 vs. Michigan last Sunday.
- Iowa will be gunning for its first three-game winning streak of the season Sunday.
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.
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.
CAVEY PACES HAWKEYES
Jamie Cavey has been a force in the post for Iowa. Cavey ranks first on the squad in scoring (16.1) and field goal percentage (.566) and third in rebounding (5.1). In addition, she ranks seventh in Big Ten scoring, third in field goal percentage and 26th in rebounding. Cavey has led the Hawkeyes in scoring in 8-of-17 games. She has scored in double figures 14 straight games and 16-of-17 this season, including posting 20 points or more five times.
The native of Mechanicsville, IA, matched a career high with 26 points and four assists and posted career highs in free throws made (8) and attempted (11) in Iowa’s home win over Illinois. She tallied a game-high 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and posted career highs in steals (4) and minutes played (36) at Missouri.
Against Creighton, Cavey scored 17 points (6-13 FG, 5-5 FT) and posted career bests in blocks (5), rebounds (10) and tied a career high in assists (4).
Cavey has scored 274 points this season and was the fastest player to reach 200 points in a single season since Lindsey Meder scored 225 points in Iowa’s first 12 games during the 2000-01 campaign.
FAULKNER: IOWA’S 3-POINT THREAT
Senior Kristi Faulkner ranks third on the squad in scoring (14.5), first in 3-pointers made (29), attempted (62) and percentage (.452) and fourth in rebounding (3.9). She has made at least one triple in 16-of-17 games this year. Her streak of 12 consecutive games with at least one triple ended at Penn State on Jan. 8. Faulkner has scored in double figures in 13-of-17 games, including posting 20 points or more four times.
The native of Glen Ellyn, IL, registered a game-high 26 points at Florida International, 22 points at Iowa State and 24 vs. Drake. She made a season-high four three-pointers against the Cyclones. Faulkner scored a season-high 27 points, including her 1,000th career point in an Iowa uniform in Iowa’s home win over Indiana on Jan. 15.
Faulkner has made 110 career 3-pointers and has posted 1,020 career points at Iowa, which ranks 20th. Faulkner is five points from moving past Tiffany Gooden (1994-98) and into 19th on Iowa’s career scoring chart.
Faulkner was a third team all-Big Ten honoree last year.
FAULKNER ON PACE TO BREAK SCHOOL RECORD
Senior Kristi Faulkner has converted .842 (230-273) 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.
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 1,567 career points, which ranks seventh on Iowa’s career scoring chart. She also has collected 749 rebounds, which ranks sixth-best all-time. Lillis is on pace to finish her career in the top-five in career rebounding and scoring. Lillis, who also spends some of her free time at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, was a preseason all-Big Ten selection the last two years.
Lillis drained a career-high three 3-pointers vs. Kansas State and a clutch triple down the stretch vs. Creighton. She has made a season-high 14 3-pointers, besting last year’s total (5). Lillis has made 20 career 3-pointers. She has made at least one three-pointer in six of Iowa’s last eight games and has attempted at least one triple in 9-of-10 contests. She is 5-9 (.556) in Iowa’s last three contests.
The three-time captain is the only Hawkeye to score in double figures in every game this year. She posted her first double-double of the season and 16th of her career vs. Saint Joseph’s (19 points, 10 rebounds).
Lillis is 32 points from moving into sixth in career scoring and 50 rebounds from sliding into the No. 5 position in career rebounds.
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.
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.
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.
BIG TEN RANKINGS
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten Conference scoring (72.7), field goal percentage (.443), 3-point field goals made (5.59) and assists (17.24), first in 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and fifth in free throw percentage (.735) and assist/turnover ratio (0.86).
In conference games only, Iowa ranks first in scoring offense (70.5), but 10th in scoring defense (68.2). The Hawkeyes also rank first in assists (17.0) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.221).
Jamie Cavey ranks seventh in scoring (16.1) and third in field goal percentage (.566). Kristi Faulkner ranks 12th in scoring (14.5), third in 3-point percentage (.468) and free throw percentage (.833), seventh in 3-pointers made (1.71). Jennie Lillis ranks eighth in scoring (15.8), 14th in rebounding (6.0) and 10th in steals (1.88).
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.
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.
HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
Iowa has eight regular season games that will be televised this year. KCRG-TV9 has already broadcast Iowa games against Houston, Iowa State, Drake and Wisconsin. KCRG-TV9 is slated to show one more game (Ohio State, Feb. 5). Fox Sports Chicago will televise Iowa games vs. Purdue (Feb. 10) and at Illinois (Feb. 29). Fox Sports North showed the Hawkeyes’ game at Minnesota (Jan. 11) and will broadcast their game against the Gophers on Feb. 19 in Iowa City.
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-TV9. The show includes interviews with Coach Bluder and players and feature stories. Below is a list of the dates and times.
Saturday, February 21 – 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 – 5 p.m.
NEXT ACTION
Iowa plays at Michigan State on “Super Bowl Sunday”, Feb. 1. The Hawkeyes return for a two-game home stand when they host Ohio State (Feb. 5) and nationally ranked Purdue (Feb. 10).