Hawkeyes Travel to Drake

Dec. 15, 2004

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THE SETTING
Iowa (8-0) will play its second consecutive road game Saturday when the Hawkeyes travel to Des Moines to compete against intrastate rival Drake (5-2). Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. in the Knapp Center (7,002). Tickets are $15 for all ages.

HAWKEYES UNDEFEATED
As of games played through Dec. 12, Iowa is one of only six Division I teams undefeated after playing eight or more games. LSU is 9-0, while Houston, Charlotte, Iowa, St. John’s and West Virginia are 8-0.

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. Brent Balbinot and Karen Schulte call the action.

ON THE TUBE
Saturday’s game will be televised on Mediacom’s “Connections” channel in select TV markets across the state. Call your local cable company for availability and channel.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 24 in the Associated Press poll. Four other Big Ten teams join the Hawkeyes in the rankings: Ohio State (7/10), Michigan State (11/11), Minnesota (13/13) and Purdue (18/20). The Big Ten boasts the most teams in the top 25. The SEC, Big XII and Big East each have four schools ranked.

The ranking marks the first time Iowa cracked the top 25, since being ranked the final five weeks of the 2000-01 season. Also, it marks the first time both the Iowa men (16/21) and women (23/24) are ranked at the same time since the final poll of 2001.

In addition, Iowa and Michigan State are the only Big Ten Conference teams to have both hoops teams ranked. The Spartans’ men’s team is ranked 18/21, while the women are rated 11/11.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 854 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 522-332 (.611). That includes a 276-144 (.657) mark in Big Ten games and a 232-54 (.811) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

FAST START
Iowa is enjoying its best start in 11 years. The Hawkeyes’ 8-0 is the third-best start in school history. Iowa began the 1987 season 22-0, while Iowa’s 1993 squad started 11-0.

In addition, a Bluder coached team has not started 8-0 since 1994-95. Bluder’s Drake team started that season 13-0, and eventually would advance to the NCAA Second Round.

HAWKEYES LOOK FOR MYTHICAL STATE TITLE
Iowa will be gunning for the mythical state title Saturday at Drake. The Hawkeyes have already topped Iowa State (89-80) and Northern Iowa (77-50) in Iowa City. A victory over the Bulldogs Saturday would give Iowa the mythical state title the second time in three years.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa’s fast start has garnered the Hawkeyes a Big Ten-best No. 3 RPI ranking. Iowa is also ranked No. 21 in strength of schedule. Drake ranks No. 126 in the RPI and 216 in strength of schedule.

The rankings are updated daily on: http://www.collegerpi.com/women/05/rpi.html

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak to Creighton, winning a 91-82 overtime thriller in Omaha Friday night. The game was the Hawkeyes’ first true road game of the season.

Creighton was able to build a 13-point (44-31) halftime advantage due to red-hot shooting beyond the arc. The Bluejays converted a blistering 88.9 percent (8-9) from 3-point range in the first stanza.

The Bluejays led by as many as 15 points with 13 minutes left in regulation, but Iowa stepped up its defensive intensity and was able to score easy baskets on transition after breaking Creighton’s full-court press and send the game into overtime.

While Creighton shot the ball extremely well in the first half, Iowa caught fire in the second half and overtime. The Hawkeyes made 70 percent (19-27) of its field goal attempts in the second half and 83.3 percent (5-6) in overtime. Iowa had four players (Crystal Smith, 23; Jamie Cavey, 20; Krista VandeVenter, 19; Johanna Solverson, 13) score double figures for the second consecutive game and for the third time in four games.

COMEBACK KIDS
Iowa’s 15-point second half rally is the second-largest comeback under Coach Bluder. The Hawkeyes rallied from 18 down in the second half to bounce Indiana (81-76) from the 2001 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Last season the Hawkeyes trailed Wisconsin by eight points with 39 seconds left and rallied to win in overtime (87-82) on the road.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Iowa shot a season-high 60.7 percent (37-61) from the field, marking the first time the Hawkeyes shot 60 percent or better from the field since shooting 60.4 percent (29-48) at Wisconin on Feb. 7, 2002.
• Three Hawkeyes played 39 minutes or more — all career highs ( Krista VandeVenter, 39; Crystal Smith, 40; Jamie Cavey, 41).
• The Hawkeyes out-scored the Bluejays 58-30 in the paint, while the Bluejays out-scored Iowa 33-3 beyond the arc.
• Iowa’s 91 points are a season high, while Creighton’s 11 triples are a season high for an Iowa opponent.
• After averaging 65.0 ppg their first four games, the Hawkeyes have averaged 83.8 in their last four.

POCKET ACES
Iowa had two players post double-doubles in Iowa’s come-from-behind win at Creighton. Jamie Cavey recorded her second double-double of her career, netting 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The senior also collected two blocks and a career-high seven assists. Coincidentally, Cavey’s first double-double came against Creighton on Dec. 28, 2003 in Iowa City.

Krista VandeVenter had her best game of her young collegiate career. The freshman tallied career bests in points (19) and rebounds (14). VandeVenter converted 8-11 (.727) from the field and 3-5 from the foul line (.600). She also registered two steals and two assists. Her 14 rebounds are the most by a Hawkeye in a single game since Jerica Watson pulled down 16 vs. Illinois on Feb. 24, 2002.

The last time Iowa had two players post double-doubles in the same game was on Feb. 24, 2002. Jennie Lillis scored 11 points and corralled 10 rebounds, while Jerica Watson recorded 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 79-71 triumph over Illinois in Iowa City. Furthermore, the last time the feat was accomplished on the road was on Feb. 25, 2001. Lillis totaled 14 points and 17 rebounds, while Randi Peterson amassed 17 points and 12 rebounds in a 74-64 win over Illinois in Champaign.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa has only played three games on December 18 (2-1).

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 3
Iowa only has three players who have attempted and made at least one 3-pointer through eight games. Jenna Armstrong has converted 11-35, Johanna Solverson has drained 11-26, while Crystal Smith has made 9-26.

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (8.6) through eight games. The last time a true-freshman led Iowa in rebounding was Tangela Smith (1994-95). In fact, only four other Hawkeyes have led the team in rebounding as freshman (Tangela Smith, 1994-95; Lynn Kennedy, 1983-84; Cindy Haugejorde, 1976-77; Jenni Mayer, 1975-76).

SCOUTING DRAKE
Drake (5-2) enters Saturday’s game winners of three of its last four contests. The Bulldogs defeated Michigan (61-60) on Nov. 30, Saint Louis (84-63) on Dec. 4 and Indiana-Fort Wayne (70-52) on Dec. 11. Drake lost to Iowa State (69-40) on Dec. 8.

Drake cruised to an 18-point victory in its last game vs. Indiana-Fort Wayne. The Bulldogs were led by Erin Dohrmann, Jill Martin and Lindsay Whorton. Dohrmann scored a agme-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Martin contributed 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Whorton added 10 points and five rebounds. Drake out-scored Indiana-Fort Wayne 43-23 in the paint and out-rebounded the Mastodons 51-43.

Drake has three players average double figures in scoring. Martin ranks first (13.0), followed by Whorton (11.1) and Linda Sayavongchanh (10.0). The Bulldogs have five players averaging 4.4 rebounds or better: Martin (6.9), Natalie Raub (4.9), Beth Marvin (4.7), Whorton (4.4) and Sayavongchanh (4.4).

Amy Stephens is in her second year as head coach of the Bulldogs. Stephens guided Drake to the WNIT First Round last season. The Bulldogs are 21-17 under Coach Stephens.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Saturday’s game will be the 37th meeting between Drake and Iowa. Drake holds a 24-12 advantage, including an 11-5 edge in games played in Des Moines.

The Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings. Iowa topped the Bulldogs (79-65) last year in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes dropped Drake (72-52) in the Knapp Cennter in 2002.

Iowa and Drake have competed in two overtime games. The Hawkeyes won 63-60 in 1997, while the Bulldogs won 75-72 in 2001. Both contests were played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa is 38-35 all-time against current members of the Missouri Valley Conference, including a 3-0 mark this season.

IOWA, DRAKE NOTES

• Iowa averages 17.6 assists per game, while Drake averages 12.7.
• Lisa Bluder coached 10 successful seasons at Drake (1990-2000) before taking over at Iowa. The three-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year boasted a 187-106 (.638) during her tenure. She guided the Bulldogs to four MVC tournament titles and five post-season appearances.
• Iowa Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen graduated from Drake in 1991. She is one of only two Drake players to have her number retired in the Knapp Center. Jensen also served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs under Coach Bluder for seven years (1993-2000).
• Iowa Assistant Coach Jenni Fitzgerald was Drake’s starting point guard from 1986-1990, earning all-conference laurels her senior year. Fitzgerald also served as an assistant coach under Bluder for seven years (1993-2000) at Drake.
• Former Iowa manager Kris Byam is in his first season as a graduate manager at Drake. Byam was a two-year manager for the Hawkeyes and was also a member of the grey squad for one season.
• Drake junior and Iowa junior Tiffany Reedy played prep basketball together at Union HS in Dysart. Reedy is in her third season with the Hawkeyes, while Raub is in her first season with the Bulldogs after playing the last two years at Kirkwood CC in Cedar Rapids.

COMMON OPPONENTS
Iowa and Creighton share seven common opponents (Marquette, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Creighton).

The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State (89-80), Marquette (78-72), Southern Illinois (66-50), Creighton (91-82, ot) and Northern Iowa (77-50). Iowa will play Michigan (twice) and Minnesota (once) during its conference schedule.

The Bulldogs beat Michigan (61-60), but lost to Marquette (73-54) and Iowa State (69-40). Drake will play Creighton, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois twic each during conference play.

COMPARING GAME STATS
 FG% 3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .498    .356    .671    40.0    141 144 74.4Opp.    .369    .335    .685    34.5    110 130 62.1

LAST MEETING
A strong second half helped lift Iowa to a 79-65 win over Drake in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The victory was the Hawkeyes’ second straight over the Bulldogs.

Iowa trailed 39-37 at the half, but out-scored Drake 42-26 in the second half. The Bulldogs took a two-point halftime lead after shooting 59.3 percent (16-27) from the field, including 66.7 percent (2-3) from beyond the arc. Drake cooled down in the second half, shooting 36.4 percent (8-22), including 12.5 percent (1-8) from 3-point range. Iowa finished the game shooting 48.3 percent (28-58) from the field and a season-high 85.7 percent (18-21) from the charity stripe.

The Hawkeyes were led by Kristi Faulkner, who scored 20 of her game-high 24 points in the first half. Jamie Cavey contributed 12 points and tied a career high with two blocks. Jennie Lillis added 16 points, three rebounds and collected a game-high four steals.

Jenna Armstrong sparked a 20-7 run midway through the second half to help break the game open for the Hawkeyes. Armstrong made all three of her shot attempts, including two 3-pointers and finished with a season-high eight points in 11 minutes.

Johanna Solverson did not start for the second straight game, but did see 21 minutes off the bench and collected four points, four rebounds and three steals. Tiffany Reedy started in her place, scoring five points and recording two thefts in 18 minutes.

Iowa outscored Drake, 36-26, in the paint and converted 26 Bulldog turnovers into 33 points. The Hawkeyes recorded a season-high 17 steals in the contest.

MAINTAINING LEADS
Iowa has played 325 minutes through eight games and has trailed only 42:06 during that stretch. The Hawkeyes have maintained a lead or been tied for 282:54 of the 325 minutes.

IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its perfect 8-0 start. Iowa’s bench has out-scored its opponents 166-97 through eight contests. The Hawkeyes average 20.8 ppg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored six of its eight opponents in bench points (Oklahoma, 12-12; Creighton, 17-16).

INSIDE, NOT OUTSIDE
Iowa attempted a season-low two 3-pointers in its victory over in-state rival Northern Iowa Sunday. The Hawkeyes made one of the two to extend its streak of consecutive games with at least one triple made to 183.

The last time Iowa attempted two 3-pointers or less in a game was in a 77-57 win vs. Weber State on Nov. 20, 1998 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes were 1-1 from beyond the arc.

Iowa stayed with its inside game at Creighton, attempting only five triples at Creighton. The Hawkeyes made one of the five attempts.

OUTSIDE AND INSIDE
After attempting a season-low two 3-pointers in Iowa’s win over Northern Iowa on Dec. 5, the Hawkeyes attempted a season-high 24 triples vs. Marquette on Dec. 8. Iowa made a season-high nine 3-pointers in the victory, with seven of the nine coming in the first half. The Hawkeyes also had success in the paint, scoring 30 points.

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has scored 103 points through seven games this season. The senior has totaled 825 career points, which ranks 25th at Iowa. Cavey is 27 points from passing Lynn Kennedy (1983-87) for 24th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 46 career blocks, which ties for 10th on Iowa’s career chart with Jenny Noll (1993-97).

SUCCESS AT THE FOUL LINE
Iowa has had three players shoot 100 percent from the free throw line in games (min. 6 att.). Crystal Smith converted 7-7 vs. Missouri, Jamie Cavey drained all nine attempts against Iowa State and Stacy Schlapkohl was a perfect 6-6 vs. Northern Iowa.

As a team, the Hawkeyes converted a season-high 24-29 (.828) vs. Iowa State after making a season-low 9-24 (.375) vs. Oklahoma the previous game.

IOWA DRAWING MORE FANS
Iowa has drawn more fans through the first five games than it did last season. The Hawkeyes pulled in 17,410 fans through five games in 2003, while 18,270 have made their way through the turnstiles in 2004 — a difference of +860.

Iowa’s home attendance average (3,654) ranks 20th nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Dec. 13. The Hawkeyes are the fifth-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 Purdue (8,347), No. 7 Penn State (7,403), No. 8 Minnesota (7,044) and No. 12 Wisconsin (5,767).

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Guard Crystal Smith has been one of league’s top offensive and defensive player through six games. The junior was named MVP of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam. Smith ranks first on the team and sixth in Big Ten in scoring (16.0) and first on the team and fourth in league steals (2.71). The native of Haughton, LA, has netted 20 points or more three times. Smith’s performances have already turned some heads.

“Crystal is just an outstanding player,” said Iowa State Head Coach Bill Fennelly. “She’s an impact player on both ends of the floor. I hope we don’t have to play a guard as good as her the rest of the season.”

“I’ve been around the game a long time and Crystal is as good a player I’ve ever seen,” said Northern Iowa Head Coach Tony DiCecco. “She has a lot of tools. She’s extremely difficult to defend because at a split second she’s at full speed. She’s lightning quick and I tip my hat to her.”

Center Jamie Cavey has been a force down in the post. The senior tri-captain, ranks second on the team and 12th in the Big Ten in scoring (15.4) and first on the team and sixth in the conference in field goal percentage (.593).

Cavey is the only Iowa player to score double figures all eight games. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in seven of its eight games (Marquette).
• The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents 274-166 in the paint through eight games.
• Jamie Cavey fouled out vs. Marquette, becoming the first Hawkeye to foul out of a game this season. Cavey fouled out a team-high eight times last season.
• Iowa has led at the half in seven-of-eight games this year.
• Iowa’s win over Creighton was its first after trailing at the half, since its thrilling 89-82 overtime victory at Wisconin on Feb. 12, 2004.
• Iowa has held three teams to 50 points or less (Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47).
• Five of Iowa’s first seven games were in the friendly confines of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Conversely, six of Iowa’s next nine games are away from Iowa City.
• All eight of Iowa’s opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field.
• Iowa has shot more free throws and have had more assists than its opponents in all eight games.
• Iowa is 3-0 against teams from both the Big XII (Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma) and Missouri Valley Conference (Southern Illinois, Creighton, Northern Iowa).
• Only one of Iowa’s starters is a senior (Jamie Cavey).
• The victory over No. 21 Oklahoma marked Iowa’s first win over a ranked opponent on a neutral floor since dropping Minnesota (80-77) on March 3, 2003 in the Big Ten Tournament.
• Jenna Armstrong’s 12 three-point attempts vs. Iowa State is the most attempts by an individual since Lindsey Meder attempted 14 twice during the 2001-02 season.
• Iowa is 3-5 in overtime games under Coach Bluder.

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have six players who average two assists or more. Shooting guard Crystal Smith (3.0) leads the team, followed by center Jamie Cavey (2.9), small forward Johanna Solverson (2.8), point guard Abby Emmert (2.6), power forward Krista VandeVenter (2.4) and shooting guard Jenna Armstrong (2.1).

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in seven of its eight games, including the first five contests of the season. VandeVenter pulled down six rebounds vs. Florida, 11 against Oklahoma and a career-high 14 at Creighton. The freshman averages 8.6 boards per game. The last time an Iowa player led the team in rebounding five consecutive games was Jerica Watson in the last five games of the 2001-02 season.

The Osseo, MN, native has also done a good job offensively. VandeVenter scored all of her nine points in the second half against the Sooners. She also tallied 10 points vs. Iowa State and a career-best 19 on 8-11 FG and 3-5 from the charity stripe at Creighton. VandeVenter averages 8.4 ppg. The post player also ranks fifth in assists (19), just five back from team leader Crystal Smith (24).

BENCH PLAYERS BECOME DIFFERENCE-MAKERS
Stacy Schlapkohl was a key factor in Iowa’s victory over Florida and Northern Iowa. Schlapkohl scored eight points on a perfect 4-4 shooting from the field vs. the Gators. She also collected two rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes of action. The native of Durant, IA, had a career day against Northern Iowa. Schlapkohl posted career highs in points (18), free throws made (7), steals (2), blocks (1) and rebounds (3). She was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line and 6-7 from the field.

Morgan Kasperek was Iowa’s clutch bench performer vs. No. 21 Oklahoma on Nov. 27. Kasperek, who was fighting a flu bug earlier in the week, played 15 minutes and scored six points and corralled four rebounds while Cavey sat on the bench in foul trouble.

Jeneé Graham posted career bests in points (5), rebounds (4) and minutes played (20) in Iowa’s thrilling come-from-behind overtime win at Creighton. In addition, it didn’t show up in the box score, but Graham was a star defensively in the second half and overtime. The freshman deflected many passes and forced Creighton turnovers.

HAWKEYES ADD THIRD JERSEYS
For the first time under Coach Bluder’s tenure, Iowa will have three colored jerseys this season (white, black and gold). The last time Iowa played in gold jerseys was during the 1999-00 season.

HAWKEYES WIN TOURNAMENTS
Iowa won two holiday tournaments this season. The Hawkeyes opened the season with wins over Southern Illinois (66-50) and Missouri (75-54) to claim its 16th KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge championship.

One week later, the Hawkeyes defeated Florida (65-62) and then-No. 21 Oklahoma (54-47) to capture the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.

Crystal Smith was named MVP of both tournaments. Smith averaged 12.0 ppg and was the defensive star of the Junkanoo Jam. The junior averaged 17.5 ppg and 3.5 spg in the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. The native of Haughton, LA, scored 26 points in the championship game vs. Missouri, shattering her previous career high (10 points). Furthermore, Smith was a perfect 7-7 from the foul line, setting new career highs in free throws made and attempted.

Jamie Cavey joined Smith on both all-tournament teams. Cavey averaged 15.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg in the Junkanoo Jam and 12.5 ppg in the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge. Johanna Solverson joined Smith and Cavey on the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge all-tournament team. Solverson averaged 12.5 ppg in the two games and was a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field, including 4-4 from beyond the arc in Iowa’s first round 66-50 win over Southern Illinois. The four 3-pointers is a career high, as is her game-high six steals against the Salukis.

SENIOR STARTS (ARM)STRONG
Senior Jenna Armstrong has had a good start to the 2004-05 season. Armstrong averages 21.3 minuntes per game and ranks fifth on the team in scoing (7.4). She has already eclipsed her scoring total from last year. Last season, Armstrong scored 36 points in 24 games, while she has already amassed 59 in only eight contests this year. Armstrong has scored double figures three times this season and six in her career.

The native of Stockton, MO, ranks first on the squad in 3-pointers made (11). She also pulled down a career-high six rebounds in Iowa’s win over Marquette.

HAWKEYES TOP OKLAHOMA WITH DEFENSE
Iowa upset No. 21 Oklahoma 54-47 on Nov. 27 in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam. The last time the Hawkeyes won a game scoring 54 points or less was a 50-47 triumph over Michigan State on Feb. 22, 2001, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

BLUDER WINS GAME NUMBER 75 AT IOWA
Iowa’s two victories in the KCRG-TV 9 Hawkeye Challenge raised Coach Lisa Bluder’s win total to 75 at Iowa. The fifth-year coach boasts an 81-49 (.623) record with the Hawkeyes. She is four victories from passing Angie Lee and becoming Iowa’s second winningest coach behind C. Vivian Stringer.

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 185 consecutive contests. It is a streak that has occurred over a span of seven seasons. The last time the Hawkeyes did not make a 3-pointer was against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 1998.

SOLVERSON TIES ARENA RECORD
Johanna Solverson’s perfect 4-4 shooting from 3-point range tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for 3-point field goal percentage. Solverson joins Minnesota’s Jodi Olson (4-4), Miami of Ohio’s Adrienne Spatz (4-4), Iowa’s Steph Schueler (4-4), Iowa’s Stacy Frese (5-5) and Southwest Missouri State’s Jennifer Lingor (5-5) in the record books.

Solverson’s overall 6-6 shooting from the field was perfect, but did not tie an arena record. The record, which is a minimum of eight attempts, is held by Andrea Harmon (8-8) and current teammate Jamie Cavey (9-9).

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Point guard Abby Emmert and power forward Krista VandeVenter started Iowa’s first seven games.

Emmert and VandeVenter became the first Iowa freshmen duo to start since the 1994-95 season where newcomers Tiffany Gooden and Tangela Smith started 17 and 15 games, respectively.

EMMERT MAKES HISTORY
Abby Emmert became only the second Iowa freshman to start at point guard. Prior to this season, Cara Consuegra was Iowa’s only freshman to start at point guard (1997).

BIG TEN SCHEDULE AHEAD
Iowa’s Big Ten portion of its schedule includes home-and-away contests against Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State.

The Hawkeyes have single games with Penn State, Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa will travel to Minneapolis and West Lafayette, while the Lady Lions and Badgers will visit Iowa City.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank second in Big Ten field goal percentage (.498), third in 3-point field goal percentage (.356) and scoring offense (74.4). Iowa ranks fourth in assists (17.62) and fifth in assist/turnover ratio (0.98).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks sixth in the league scoring (16.9) and fourth in steals (2.38). Jamie Cavey ranks 12th in scoring (15.4) and sixth in field goal percentage (.593) and blocked shots (1.5). Krista VandeVenter ranks fifth in rebounding (8.6) and first in offensive rebounds (4.0). Johanna Solverson ranks foirth in steals (2.38) and sixth in 3-point field goal percentage (.423).

HAWKEYES ADD WALK-ON
Head Coach Lisa Bluder announced that Ebone Pope (Ottumwa, IA) has been added to the 2004-05 roster as a walk-on. The 5-9 guard will wear No. 15.

Pope was a two-year starter at Marshalltown Community College. Pope averaged a team-best 11.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.7 apg last year. She was team captain, earned first team all-conference and first team all-tournament honors last season. She averaged 9.0 ppg and earned all-region honorable mention accolades her freshman year.

She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2002, where she averaged 14.5 ppg, 3.5 apg and 3.3 rpg. Pope earned second team all-conference laurels her junior and senior years. Her high school team competed in the state tournament her senior season.

Pope joins Kristi Faulkner (2001-04) as the only walk-ons to make a Hawkeye roster under Coach Bluder.

CENTER OF ATTENTION
For the first time under Coach Bluder, Iowa started its season with a returning starting center.

Since Bluder began coaching the Hawkeyes in 2000 Iowa has had a different center to start the season. Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02), Tracy Schrupp (2002-03) and Jamie Cavey (2003-04). Peterson, Bullock and Schrupp were all seniors.

Cavey becomes Iowa’s first center to start consecutive seasons since Amy Herrig (1998-99).

FORMER HEAD COACH REACHES MILESTONE
Congratulations to former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer. Stringer became the fourth coach in women’s basketball to win 700 games when No. 24 Rutgers defeated Princeton 68-46 on Dec. 8. In her 10th year at Rutgers, Stringer joins Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and the retired Sue Gunter in the 700-win club.

Stringer coached at Iowa from 1983-95 and is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach (269-84, .762).

SHORT BREAK AFTER CREIGHTON GAME
Iowa will have an eight-day layoff after its game at Creighton Friday night. The Hawkeyes will spend the entire week concentrating on final exams and practicing for their next game at Drake (Dec. 18).

RICHARDS STARTS SEASON ON THE SIDELINES
Point guard Lindsay Richards underwent successful surgery on July 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

The junior is expected to make a full recovery and hopes to return to the Hawkeye lineup in January. The native of Barrington, IL, sustained the injury during practice with the Big Ten All-Stars before the team left for Australia in early-June. This is the second time in as many years she has undergone surgery to repair a damaged ACL in her right knee. Richards’ first ACL injury came in a home game against Denver on December 12, 2002.

Richards started all 29 games for the Hawkeyes last year. She ranked fifth on the team in scoring (5.4 ppg) and free throw percentage (39-51, .765), second in assists (85) and fourth in steals (27). Her 2.93 assists average ranked 11th in the Big Ten. Richards was also an academic all-Big Ten selection last year.

Before injuring her knee as a freshman, she played in eight games as a reserve, averaging 4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg and dishing out 29 assists. Richards will not receive a medical redshirt for her freshman season.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Iowa has recorded at least one victory over a ranked opponent in each of the five years under Coach Bluder. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:

At Home: 81-61 over 11th-ranked Minnesota, 2/19/04
On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04
Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster features five players from the state of Iowa (Jamie Cavey, Abby Emmert, Ebone Pope, Tiffany Reedy and Stacy Schlapkohl). The Hawkeyes also have four players from the state of Illinois (Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson, Jeneé Graham and Morgan Kasperek). Iowa’s 12-person roster also features players from Missouri (Jenna Armstrong), Minnesota (Krista VandeVenter) and Louisiana (Crystal Smith).

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. There is a cost for the service.

“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 7:30-8:30 p.m. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600.

IOWA INFORMATION ON THE WEB
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa home games and most road contests 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.

HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES
Iowa leads the inaugural Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 9-4. Iowa has recorded victories in football (17-10), women’s basketball (89-80), women’s swimming and diving (214-85) and men’s basketball (70-63). Iowa State won in women’s soccer (6-1) and wrestling (19-16).

A point system will track each institution’s performance and will culminate in one institution winning the annual trophy for the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. Intercollegiate athletic teams from Iowa and Iowa State will square off in head-to-head competition nine different times during the 2004-05 academic year. The competition this year is in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, softball and women’s swimming and diving. Additional points will be available for each school to secure based on successful performance in the classroom by its student-athletes. Listed below is the upcoming competition schedule:
Jan. 28, W. Gymnastics — 2 points
Feb. 19, W. Gymnastics — 2 points
Apr. 19, Softball — 2 points
2 points for an institution if the student-athlete graduation rate for all student-athletes is greater than the national average for all student-athletes.

AFTER THIS
Iowa returns home after its two-game road trip to host Western Illinois (Dec. 21) before Christmas break. The Hawkeyes hit the road again after Christmas break with a game at UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 28).