Hawkeyes Entertain Western Illinois Tuesday

Dec. 20, 2004

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THE SETTING
The 18th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) return home Tuesday to host Western Illinois (4-4). Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.

HAWKEYES UNDEFEATED
As of games played through Dec. 19, Iowa is one of only seven Division I teams undefeated after playing eight or more games. LSU is 10-0, Iowa and St. John’s are 9-0, while Stanford, West Virginia, Florida State and Charlotte are 8-0.

ON THE AIR AND THE INTERNET
All Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Due to the Iowa men’s basketball game vs. Texas Tech starting at the same time, Tuesday’s broadcast will be tape delayed. 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.

Fans can also follow the game’s progress with up-to-the-minute stats and play-by-play by clicking on the “Gametracker” link on the front of www.hawkeyesports.com

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll released Monday. The Hawkeyes vaulted six spots after being ranked 24th last week. Four other Big Ten teams join the Hawkeyes in the rankings: Ohio State (10), Michigan State (11), Minnesota (13) and Purdue (20). The Big Ten boasts the most teams in the top 25. The SEC, Big XII and Big East each have four schools ranked.

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 23, while the women are rated 11.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 855 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 523-332 (.612). 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’ 9-0 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 9-0 since 1994-95. Bluder’s Drake team started that season 13-0, and eventually would advance to the NCAA Second Round.

HAWKEYES CAPTURE MYTHICAL STATE TITLE
Iowa captured its second mythical state title in three years. The Hawkeyes first defeated Iowa State (89-80) on Dec. 1, followed by victories over and Northern Iowa (77-50) on Dec. 8 and Drake (80-69) on Dec. 18.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa’s fast start has garnered the Hawkeyes a Big Ten-best No. 3 RPI ranking. Iowa is also ranked No. 15 in strength of schedule. Western Illinois ranks No. 166 in the RPI and 94 in strength of schedule.

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

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 4
Iowa only has four players who have attempted and made at least one 3-pointer through nine games. Jenna Armstrong has converted 11-37 and Johanna Solverson and Crystal Smith have both drained 11-30. Tiffany Reedy became the fourth Hawkeye to attempt and make at least one triple when the junior made her only attempt at Drake.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead at Drake and never looked back, as the Hawkeyes won their ninth straight game to start the 2004-05 season with an 80-69 win in Des Moines Saturday afternoon.

The Hawkeyes built a 20-point advantage (54-34) with just under 15 minutes left in regulation. Drake mounted a comeback going on a 12-0 run to trim Iowa’s lead to eight (54-46) with nine minutes remaining. However, the Hawkeyes held off the Bulldogs with key baskets and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.

Iowa was led by junior Crystal Smith and senior Jamie Cavey. Smith poured in a game and career-high 33 points on 12-16 shooting from the field, including 2-4 from 3-point range and 7-8 from the foul line. Cavey added 16 points and posted career highs in rebounds (13) and blocked shots (7). Freshman Krista VandeVenter contributed eight points and nine rebounds, while junior Tiffany Reedy tallied all of her three rebounds and season-high nine points and in the first half.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Jamie Cavey recorded her second double-double of the season and third of her career. Cavey has posted double-doubles in Iowa’s last two contests.
• In addition to scoring 10 points, Johanna Solverson dished out a team and game-high six assists.
• The Hawkeyes outrebounded Drake 46-24, including pulling down more offensive boards (18) than Drake defensive rebounds (17).
• Both Iowa and Drake only had one bench player score. Iowa’s Tiffany Reedy tallied all of her season-high nine points in the first half, while Drake’s Brandy Dahir scored all of her eight points in the second stanza.
• Iowa held Drake to only nine assists.
• Crystal Smith became the first Hawkeye to score 33 points or more in a game since Lindsey Meder netted 33 at Wisconsin on Dec. 31, 2000.
• Jamie Cavey became the first Iowa player to make at least 80 percent of her field goal attempts (min. 10 att.) in a game since Cavey drained 84.6 percent (11-13) vs. Butler on Nov. 21, 2003.

Crystal Smith NAMED CO-BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Big Ten announced Monday that Iowa junior Crystal Smith has been named co-Big Ten Player of the Week along with Minnesota senior Janel McCarville. The honor, the first of Smith’s career, marks the first time a Hawkeye has earned the accolade this season.

Smith sparked the Hawkeyes to their ninth consecutive victory to start the season as Iowa defeated Drake (80-69) in Des Moines Saturday afternoon.

In Saturday’s 11-point win over the Bulldogs, Smith netted a game and career-high 33 points on 12-16 shooting from the field, including 2-4 from 3-point range and 7-8 from the foul line. The 12 field goals made is also a career best, which ranks second among Big Ten players this season. The native of Haughton, LA, also pulled down six rebounds and dished out one assist. Her 33-point effort tied Lindsey Bowen of Michigan State for the highest point total by a Big Ten student-athlete this season.

Iowa’s junior shooting guard is in the midst of a career season. Smith averaged 3.9 points per game last year and so far this season ranks second in Big Ten scoring (18.7 ppg). The 5-6 senior, also ranks eighth in Big Ten field goal (.558) and free throw (.857) percentage. She has led Iowa in scoring four times and has posted 20 points or more four times this season.

COMEBACK KIDS
Iowa’s 15-point second half rally at Creighton 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.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 5-2 in games played on December 21, including winning the last two contests.

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (8.7) through nine 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 WESTERN ILLINOIS
Western Illinois enters Tuesday’s game with a 4-4 record after topping Quincy University (67-50) Sunday afternoon in Macomb, IL. The victory extended its third-ranked home winning streak to 30 games (Texas, 39; Arizona, 32). The Westerwinds were led by Rachel Reed, who scored a game and career-high 15 points on 4-7 shooting from the field and 7-8 from the foul line. Jessica Cook also scored in double figures (12 points), while Stephanie Lovingood added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Western Illinois out-shot Quincy 48 percent (24-50) to 26.1 percent (12-46) from the field.

Through eight games, Zane Teilane ranks first on the team in scoring (14.5), rebounding (10.1) and blocked shots (2.5). Cook ranks second in scoring (13.6), while Rita Castans ranks third in scoring (9.0) and first in steals (1.4).

Leslie Crane is in her seventh season as collegiate head coach, all at Western Illinois. The Westerwinds are 102-76 (.573) during her tenure.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a 4-2 advantage against Western Illinois, including winning the last two meetings. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 against the Westerwinds in Iowa City.

Iowa won the last meeting (99-54) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Nov. 25, 2000, which was only Lisa Bluder’s fourth game on the Hawkeye sidelines as head coach. The 45-point win ranks as the 12th-largest winning margin in school history. Western Illinois’ last victory (83-81) over Iowa came on Jan. 24, 1981 in Macomb, IL.

IOWA, WESTERN ILLINOIS NOTES
? Four of Western Illinois’ 11-player roster are from overseas. Zane Teilane and Liga Bergvalde hail from Riga, Latvia. Kristina Grbic is from Belgrade, Yugoslavia, while Orinta Kavaliauskaite is a native of Siauliai, Lithuania. ? Three of the six games played between Iowa and Western Illinois were played during the 1970s.

COMMON OPPONENTS
Iowa and Western Illinois share no common opponents.

COMPARING GAME STATS

FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .500    .347    .672    40.7    156 160 75.0Opp.    .376    .337    .700    33.3    119 142 62.9

MAINTAINING LEADS
Iowa has played 365 minutes through eight games and has trailed only 42:06 during that stretch. The Hawkeyes have maintained a lead or been tied for 322:54 of the 365 minutes.

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 332-253 in the first half, 329-308 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in eight-of-nine contests and Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in four-of-nine games.

IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its perfect 9-0 start. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 175-105 and 105-70, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 19.4 ppg and 11.7 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has outscored seven-of-nine opponents in bench points (Oklahoma, 12-12; Creighton, 17-16).

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.

INSIDE, NOT OUTSIDE
Iowa attempted a season-low two 3-pointers in its victory over in-state rival Northern Iowa on Dec. 5. The Hawkeyes made one of the two to extend its streak of consecutive games with at least one triple.

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 139 points through nine games this season. The senior has totaled 861 career points, which ranks 24th at Iowa. Cavey is 42 points from passing Steph Schueler (1987-91) for 23rd.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 55 career blocks, which ranks 10th on Iowa’s career chart. Cavey is only two rejections from passing Randi Peterson (1997-01).

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in eight-of-nine games (Marquette).
• The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents 312-194 in the paint through nine 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 eight-of-nine games.
• 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 nine of Iowa’s opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field.
• Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in all nine games and have shot more free throws in eight of the nine contests.
• Iowa is 3-0 against teams from the Big XII (Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma) and 4-0 vs. Missouri Valley Conference teams (Drake, 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.

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 home 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 19th 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. 8 Penn State (7,217), No. 9 Minnesota (7,167) and No. 12 Wisconsin (5,710).

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
Guard Crystal Smith has been one of league’s top offensive and defensive player through nine games. The junior was named MVP of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam. Smith ranks first on the team and second in Big Ten in scoring (18.7) and first on the team and eighth in the conference in free throw percentage (.857). The native of Haughton, LA, has netted 20 points or more four times, including scoring a career-high 33 points at Drake on Dec. 18. 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 13th in the Big Ten in scoring (15.4) and first on the team and third in the conference in field goal percentage (.615).

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

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have five players who average two assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (3.1) leads the team, followed by center Jamie Cavey (2.8) and shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.8), point guard Abby Emmert (2.6) and power forward Krista VandeVenter (2.4).

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in seven of its nine 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 8.7 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 8.3 ppg. The post player also ranks fifth in assists (22), just six back from team leader Johanna Solverson (28). She has also recorded two steals in five games.

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.

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 186 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.

BLUDER APPROACHES ANGIE LEE’S WIN TOTAL 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 82-49 (.626) record with the Hawkeyes. She is three victories from passing Angie Lee and becoming Iowa’s second winningest coach behind C. Vivian Stringer.

SENIOR STARTS (ARM)STRONG
Senior Jenna Armstrong has had a good start to the 2004-05 season. Armstrong averages 21.0 minuntes per game and ranks fifth on the team in scoing (6.6). 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 nine 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.

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 RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank second in Big Ten field goal percentage (.500), third in scoring offense (75.0) and fourth in assists (17.33), rebounding margin (+7.3), offensive rebounds (13.67) and assist/turnover ratio (0.98).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks second in the league scoring (18.7), eighth in free throw (.857) and field goal (.558) percentage and 11th in steals (2.11). Jamie Cavey ranks 13th in scoring (15.4) and third in field goal percentage (.615) and blocked shots (2.11). Krista VandeVenter ranks fifth in rebounding (8.7) and second in offensive rebounds (3.89). Johanna Solverson ranks sixth in steals (2.33).

IOWA’S BIG TEN SCHEDULE
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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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
The Hawkeyes hit the road again after Christmas break, playing their final non-conference game at UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 28). Iowa then returns home two days later to open its Big Ten schedule vs. the Indiana Hoosiers (Dec. 30).