Hawkeyes Open Big Ten Play Against Indiana

Dec. 29, 2004

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THE SETTING
Iowa (11-0) will play its second game in three nights when the Hawkeyes open their Big Ten Conference schedule against Indiana (7-3) Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths.

ON THE AIR AND THE INTERNET
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.

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.

HAWKEYES UNDEFEATED
As of games played through Dec. 28, Iowa is one of only six undefeated Division I teams (Florida State, LSU, Iowa, Richmond, St. John’s and West Virginia). In addition, Iowa and LSU are the only undefeated teams ranked in the top 25 in the two major polls.

DIFFICULT STRETCH
Iowa will be going through one of its most difficult stretches the last week of December. The Hawkeyes will play three games in six days, with two of the games being played on the road. Iowa played at UW-Milwaukee Tuesday, returns home to host Indiana Thursday, then hits the road again to face Illinois Sunday.

BLUDER TIES ANGIE LEE’S WIN TOTAL AT IOWA
Iowa’s victory over UW-Milwaukee Tuesday raised Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s win total to 84-49 (.632) with the Hawkeyes. The 84 wins ties former coach Angie Lee (84-60, .583) for second in victories in Iowa history. C. Vivian Stringer is the Hawkeyes’ all-time winningest coach (269-84, .762).

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press and No. 19 in the ESPN/USA Today poll released this week. Four other Big Ten teams join the Hawkeyes in the rankings: Ohio State (9/7), Michigan State (10/10), Minnesota (12/12) and Purdue (21/20). 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 23/20, while the women are rated 10/10. The Hawkeye men are ranked No. 16/18, while the women are ranked No. 18/19.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 857 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 525-332 (.613). That includes a 276-144 (.657) mark in Big Ten games and a 233-54 (.812) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

FAST START
Iowa is enjoying its best start in 11 years. The Hawkeyes’ 11-0 matches their second-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 11-0 since 1994-95. Bluder’s Drake team started that season 13-0, and eventually would advance to the NCAA Second Round.

RPI RANKINGS
Iowa’s fast start has garnered the Hawkeyes a Big Ten-best No. 6 RPI ranking. Iowa is also ranked No. 49 in strength of schedule. Indiana ranks No. 16 in the RPI and No. 7 in strength of schedule.

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

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 398
Iowa has scored exactly 398 points in both the first and second halves through 11 games.

LAST TIME OUT
Iowa won its 11th straight game to start the 2004-05 season with a hard-fought 59-51 win at UW-Milwaukee Tuesday night. The Hawkeyes did not yield a single point the final 3:08 and scored the final nine points en route to victory.

The Hawkeyes trailed by five at the half (30-25), but made a few halftime adjustments and rallied for the eight-point win. Johanna Solverson poured in a game and career-high 23 points (10-21 FG, 2-4 FT), grabbed five rebounds and matched a career best with six steals. Crystal Smith scored all of her 13 points in the second half and also collected a career-high six steals. Jamie Cavey added 18 points and six rebounds in the win. Krista VandeVenter led the Hawkeyes in rebounding for the eighth time this season, pulling down eight boards.

Iowa dominated down low, out-scoring the Panthers 44-6 in the paint. Ten of UW-Milwaukee’s 17 field goals were 3-pointers. The Panthers out-scored the Hawkeyes 30-6 from beyond the arc. Iowa shot a season-low 11.8 percent (2-17) from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes forced 22 turnovers and scored 24 points off the miscues.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Johanna Solverson has led the Hawkeyes in scoring the last two games. She averaged 21.0 ppg and 5.0 spg the last two times out on the court.
• Iowa has won two games this season when scoring between 50-59 points (Oklahoma).
• The game was tied six times and there were 10 lead changes.
• Morgan Kasperek rejected a career-high two shots vs. the Panthers.
• Jamie Cavey scored 12 of her 18 points in the first half.
• Iowa dished out a season-low eight assists in the win.
• The Hawkeyes were out-rebounded for only the second time this season (Missouri).

MAINTAINING LEADS
Iowa has played 445 minutes through nine games and has trailed only 55:13 during that stretch. The Hawkeyes have maintained a lead or been tied for 389:47 of the 445 minutes.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 7-5 in games played on December 30, including losing its last three contests.

SCOUTING INDIANA
Indiana enters Thursday’s game with a 7-3 record. Thursday night’s contest in Iowa City will be the Hoosiers’ first action since a 63-41 victory over Virginia Commonwealth on Dec. 22, in Bloomington, IN. Indiana has won four straight games and five of six.

LeeAnn Stephenson, Cyndi Valentin and Sarah McKay led the Hoosiers in their win over the Virginia Commonwealth. Stephenson posted game highs in points (17) and assists (7). Valentin netted 13 points and collected two steals, while McKay scored 10 points and pulled down a game-high nine boards.

The Hoosiers are coached by Kathi Bennett, who is in her 17th year as a head coach and her fifth season at Indiana. Bennett has guided the Hoosiers to a 69-60 (.535) record over the past five seasons.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Thursday will mark the 46th meeting between Iowa and Indiana. Iowa leads the all-time series 33-12, including a commanding 18-3 advantage in games played in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won the last eight meetings in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Indiana’s last victory in Carver-Hawkeye Arena came on Feb. 20, 1994.

The Hawkeyes have won 14 of the last 17 overall meetings. Iowa won both contests against the Hoosiers last year, 72-65 in Iowa City and 78-69 in Bloomington.

There have been two overtime games played in the series, with both teams winning one.

HAWKEYES IN BIG TEN OPENERS
Iowa is 3-1 in Big Ten Conference openers under Coach Bluder. In addition, the Hawkeyes are 4-0 in home conference openers the last four years.

COMMON OPPONENTS
Iowa and Indiana shared no non-conference opponents.

IOWA, INDIANA NOTES

• Indiana sophomore Leah Enterline is the daughter of Big Ten referee Bryan Enterline. Bryan is not allowed to referee any of Indiana’s regular and post season contests dut to conflict of interest.
• The Hoosiers’ Big Ten opener at Iowa will be the first of a three-game road trip to start the 2005 conference schedule. In fact, Indiana will have one more three-game roadie in early February. The Hoosiers are the only league team to have two three-game road trips during the conference schedule. Iowa does not have any three-game road trips this season. Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern and Purdue have one three-game road trip during the Big Ten slate.
• Indiana senior Jenny DeMuth, who earned pre-season all-Big Ten laurels, suffered an ACL injury at midnight madness on Oct. 16 and is sidelined for the entire season.
• Iowa’s Jamie Cavey netted a then-career high 25 points (8-15 FG, 9-9 FT), a team-high eight rebounds and a career-best six assists in the last meeting between the two teams in Bloomington last season. Cavey’s perfect 9-9 shooting from the foul line was also a career best for free throws made and percentage.
• Head Coaches Lisa Bluder (Drake) and Kathi Bennett (Evansville) both coached in the Missouri Valley Conference. In fact, the coaching duo is two of four Big Ten coaches who formerly mentored MVC teams (Cheryl Burnett — SMS and Lisa Stone — Drake).

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 398-312 in the first half, 398-369 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in nine-of-11 contests. Iowa has been out-scored by its opponent in the second half in six-of-11 games.

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.

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (8.5) 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).

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 (3.3) leads the team, followed by center Jamie Cavey (2.7), shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.5), power forward Krista VandeVenter (2.3) and point guard Abby Emmert (2.2).

IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its perfect 11-0 start. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 191-124 and 121-73, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 17.4 ppg and 11.0 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has outscored eight-of-11 opponents in bench points.

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 and UW-Milwaukee. The Hawkeyes attempted only five triples at Creighton, making one of the five attempts. Iowa out-scored UW-Milwaukee 44-6 in the paint on Dec. 28. The Hawkeyes converted only two triples against the Panthers.

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 172 points through 11 games this season. The senior has totaled 894 career points, which ranks 24th at Iowa. Cavey is only nine points from passing Steph Schueler (1987-91) for 23rd.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 61 career blocks, which ranks ninth on Iowa’s career chart. Cavey is only six rejections from passing Amy Herrig (1995-99) for eight on the career chart.

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (3,584) ranks 21st nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Dec. 27. The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 Purdue (8,347), No. 8 Penn State (7,217), No. 9 Minnesota (7,127), No. 12 Wisconsin (5,710) and No. 16 Michigan State (4,811).

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 10-of-11 games (Marquette).
• The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents 386-216 in the paint.
• 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.
• Jamie Cavey is the only Hawkeye to score double figures in all 11 games.
• Iowa has led at the half in nine-of-11 games.
• Iowa has held three teams to 51 points or less (UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47).
• All 11 of Iowa’s opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field.
• Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 10-of-11 games and have shot more free throws in all 11 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.
• Iowa’s 54-47 victory over then-No. 21 Oklahoma in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam marked the first time the Hawkeyes won a game scoring 54 points or less since a 50-47 triumph over Michigan State on Feb. 22, 2001, in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• 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.

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 fifth in Big Ten in scoring (18.1), first on the team and eighth in conference free throw percentage (.857) and second on the team and fifth in league steals (2.45). The native of Haughton, LA, has netted 20 points or more four times, which ranks second in the Big Ten. She netted 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 12th in the Big Ten in scoring (15.6) and first on the team and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (.609).

Cavey is the only Iowa player to score double figures all 11 contests. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.

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.

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in eight of its 11 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 8.5 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 fourth in assists (25), 11 back from team leader Johanna Solverson (36). She has also recorded two steals in five games.

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 188 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.

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Point guard Abby Emmert and power forward Krista VandeVenter started Iowa’s first 11 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.

SENIOR STARTS (ARM)STRONG
Senior Jenna Armstrong has had a good start to the 2004-05 season. Armstrong averages 18.8 minuntes per game and ranks fifth on the team in scoing (5.9). 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 11 contests this year. Armstrong has scored double figures three times this season and six in her career.

The native of Stockton, MO, ranks second on the squad in 3-pointers made (12). She also pulled down a career-high six rebounds in Iowa’s win over Marquette.

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).

SOLVERSON TIES ARENA RECORD
Johanna Solverson’s perfect 4-4 shooting from 3-point range vs. Southern Illinois 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).

BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank second in Big Ten field goal percentage (.490), third in offensive rebounds (13.73), fourth in scoring offense (73.6) and assists (16.27) and blocked shots (4.27) and 3-point field goal percentages (.322).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks fifth in league scoring (18.1), eighth in free throw percentage (.878) and field goal percentage (.556) and fifth in steals (2.45). Jamie Cavey ranks 12th in scoring (15.6), fourth in field goal percentage (.609) and blocked shots (2.27). Krista VandeVenter ranks fifth in rebounding (8.5) and third in offensive rebounds (3.64). Johanna Solverson ranks second in steals (2.82) and 20th in scoring (13.0).

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 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.

AFTER THIS
Iowa hits the road again when the Hawkeyes travel to Champaign, IL, to face Illinois on Jan. 2. The Hawkeyes return home on Jan. 6 to host Penn State.