Feb. 1, 2004
Iowa won its third consecutive game at Michigan State with today’s 78-67 win in the Breslin Center. The Hawkeyes also extended their season-best winning streak to five games. In addition, today’s victory snapped the Spartans’ six-game winning streak and was only Michigan State’s second home loss this season. Iowa improves to 28-14 against the Spartans all-time.Today’s victory over No. 18 Michigan State was Iowa’s first road win over a ranked opponent since a 76-64 triumph over 16th-ranked Wisconsin in the Kohl Center on Feb. 7, 2002. It also marked Iowa’s first win over a ranked foe this season (1-3).Jamie Cavey scored a team-high 21 points (8-14 FG, 5-6 FT). The native of Mechanicsville, IA, has led Iowa in scoring the last two games, scoring 20 points or more both times. She has tallied double figures in 16 straight games and 18-of-19 contests this season.The game was tied (67-67) with two minutes remaining. Iowa scored the last 11 points of the game – nine of which came from the free throw line.Iowa shot a season-best 90.0 percent (18-20) from the free throw line today. Michigan State sank 78.4 percent (29-37) of its attempts. The Spartans’ 29-37 from the charity stripe is a season high for an Iowa opponent this season. In fact, Michigan State converted 15-19, while Iowa was only 3-3 from the line in the first stanza.Kristi Faulkner scored 13 of her 19 points in the second half. The senior also finished with seven rebounds and two assists. Faulkner moved into 17th place on Iowa’s career scoring chart today. She has tallied 1,061 career points.Michigan State entered today’s game with a +7.6 rebounding margin – the best in the Big Ten. The Spartans out-rebounded the Hawkeyes 21-16 in the first half, but Iowa finished the game with a 43-35 edge in rebounding. Iowa out-rebounded the Big Ten’s best rebounding squad 27-14 in the second half. Iowa had four players with seven rebounds or more (Tiffany Reedy, 8; Kristi Faulkner, 7; Jennie Lillis, 7; Johanna Solverson, 7).Jennie Lillis finished with 14 points (3-11 FG, 6-6 FT) and seven rebounds. Lillis is the only Hawkeye to score in double figures in every game this year. She was 2-7 (.286) from beyond the arc tonight. Lillis has made at least one triple in Iowa’s last five games and has attempted at least one 3-pointer in 10 of the Hawkeyes’ last 11 contests. Her seven 3-point attempts was a season high.Iowa posted season highs in 3-pointers made (10) and attempted (30) today. In addition, Kristi Faulkner attempted a career-high 10 triples today, making three (.300).The Hawkeyes have made five or more triples in 10 of the last 11 contests. Iowa has made at least one three-pointer in 167 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, March 1, 1998.Senior Jennie Lillis was a perfect 6-6 from the charity strip today. She has attempted at least one free throw in 107-of-112 games she has played during her four-year career. The two-time all-Big Ten performer has converted 388-516 (.752) free throws in her career. She is the school record holder for free throws attempted (516) and is only three free throws made from breaking the school record, which is held by Amy Herrig (390).Iowa improves to 10-0 this year when holding its opponents to 69 points or less. The Hawkeyes improve to 3-0 against conference teams they only play once in the regular season (Northwestern, Michigan and Michigan State). Iowa hosts Ohio State Thursday, another team that it will play only once.There were 14 lead changes and 10 times in today’s thriller.Michigan State’s two 3-pointers made are a season low for an Iowa opponent this season. The Spartans finished shooting only 13.3 percent (2-15) from beyond the arc. Hawkeye opponents are shooting only 22.1 percent (29-131) in conference games. Iowa ranks first in the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense.Entering today’s game, Michigan State boasted the conference’s best scoring defense, yielding only 53.6 ppg. Iowa put up 78 points, which is its second-highest scoring output in conference games (Illinois – 91). The Hawkeyes rank first in the league in scoring offense (73.2).