Hawkeyes Return Home

Jan. 14, 2005

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THE SETTING
No. 21/22 Iowa (13-3, 2-3) returns home after its only two-game road trip of the season to host Northwestern (4-14, 1-4). Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). The Hawkeyes will try to snap a three-game losing skid.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youths. In addition, Sunday will be Iowa’s annual “Girl Scout Day”. All Girls Scouts will be admitted for only $2.

ON THE TUBE
Sunday’s game will be televised live in Eastern Iowa on KCRG-TV9. John Campbell and Amy Herrig will call the action.

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.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa dropped to 21st in the Associated Press and 22nd in the ESPN/USA Today poll this week. Four other Big Ten teams join the Hawkeyes in the rankings: Ohio State (5/5), Michigan State (9/9), Minnesota (11/12) and Purdue (20/20). The Big Ten and Big XII boast the most teams in the top 25 with five each. The Big East and ACC 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 12, while the women are rated ninth. The Hawkeye men are No. 23, while the women are No. 21.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 862 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 527-335 (.611). That includes a 278-147 (.654) mark in Big Ten games and a 234-55 (.810) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

RPI RANKINGS
Despite losing its last three contests, Iowa boasts a Big Ten-best No. 3 RPI ranking. Iowa is also ranked No. 5 in strength of schedule. Northwestern ranks No. 149 in the RPI and No. 26 in strength of schedule. The Big Ten ranks first in conference RPI, followed by the ACC and SEC.

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

ON THIS DATE
The Hawkeyes are 3-2 in games played on January 16, with two of the victories coming against Northwestern.

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NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 21
Iowa has made only 21 field goals in each of its last two road games at No. 6 Michigan State (21-53) and No. 5 Ohio State (21-42).

LAST TIME OUT
Two overlooked players finally got some attention for fifth-ranked Ohio State.

Marscilla Packer and Michelle Munoz — the Buckeyes’ ninth- and seventh-leading scorers — had all of the points in an 11-0 first-half run to power Ohio State to an 80-57 win over Iowa.

Jessica Davenport led Ohio State, which won its fifth consecutive game, with 19 points. Matter and Brandie Hoskins each had 13 points, and Munoz scored 12. Packer hit her first three 3-pointers and finished with nine points.

Munoz, the daughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, has started every game but seldom is a star on offense. She came in averaging just 4.5 points a game.

Jamie Cavey had 17 points, Johanna Solverson added 15 and Crystal Smith had 10 for the Hawkeyes, who had as many turnovers (21) as field goals.

Ohio State led 15-13 midway through the half before going on an 8-3 run, with Davenport scoring the first four points in the spurt.

After the Hawkeyes’ Smith hit a layup to end a two-minute scoring drought, the Buckeyes ran off 11 points in a row. Packer, just in from the bench, hit two 3-pointers and Munoz scored on a layup and a 3 of her own to push the lead to 34-18.

Down 39-24 at halftime, Iowa drew to 54-42 with a 9-2 run — the last five points by Solverson. But Ohio State pounded the ball inside to Davenport and her three-point play at the 11:31 mark preceded another 3-pointer by Packer, touching off a 12-0 streak.

Iowa was scoreless for more than four minutes as the lead climbed.

The Buckeyes hit 54 percent of their shots from the field and were 9-of-19 from behind the arc. They converted Iowa turnovers into 25 points.

The Hawkeyes posted season lows in field goal attempts (42), steals (1) and rebounds (22).

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 542-473 in the first half, 572-542 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 11-of-16 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in nine-of-16 games.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN
Sunday’s game is the second of a three-game road trip for Northwestern. The Wildcats lost their last two games and four of their last five.

Northwestern lost its last contest, 53-42, at Indiana Thursday night. The Wildcats shot only 33.3 percent from the field. Northwestern collected more turnovers (17) than field goals (16). Junior Ifeoma Okonkwo posted the Wildcats’ first double-double of the season (13 points, 11 rebounds) in the loss. Sarah Kwasinsky contributed 11 points and five rebounds on her 22nd birthday.

Northwestern has yet to win on the road this season, going 0-7 overall and 0-2 in conference road contests.

In its last home loss to Illinois (73-65), the Wildcats assisted on 23 of its 24 baskets for a 95.8 percent assist-to-basket ratio. Sophomore A.J. Glasauer recorded 10 assists in the contest, a career-high and the best single-game total for any Big Ten player this season.

The Wildcats have used four different starting lineups this season, while the Hawkeyes have used only two.

Samantha McComb ranks eighth in Big Ten 3-point percentage (.383) and seventh in assists (3.78).

The Wildcats are coached by first-year head coach Beth Combs. Combs, who graduted from the University of Illinois in 1992 and joined Northwestern after three seasons at Colgate University. She is Northwestern’s fifth head coach. Her overall record stands at 48-59 (.449).

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN GAME NOTES

• Iowa has more players from the state of Illinois on its roster than Northwestern. Four Hawkeye players are from Illinois and all four hail from the Chicagoland area: Johanna Solverson (Lake Zurich), Lindsay Richards (Barrington), Morgan Kasperek (Hinsdale) and Jenee Graham (Bolingbrook). Northwesten has three players from Illinois: Sarah Kwasinky (Chicago), Sara Stutz (Glenview) and Breanne Smilie (Hawthorn Woods).
• Both Iowa and Northwestern have two freshmen in its respective starting lineups. The Hawkeyes have guard Jeneé Graham and forward Krista VandeVenter, while guard Sara Stutz and forward Melissa Miller are part of the starting five. Both Northwestern’s Miller (Bloomington) and Iowa’s VandeVenter (Osseo) are natives of Minnesota.
• Iowa’s bench produced only four points at No. 5 Ohio State, while Northwestern’s bench tallied only five points at Indiana Thursday night.
• Iowa ranks in the top five in seven Big Ten statistical categories, while Northwestern ranks in the top five in only one category. The Hawkeyes rank third in field goal percentage (.479), rebounds allowed (33.5) and offensive rebounds (13.06) and fourth in rebounding margin (+5.1), 3-point field goal percentage (.326) and scoring offense (70.5). The Wildcats rank fourth in assists (15.61). Northwestern ranks last in the league in scoring margin (-12.4), rebounding margin (-6.3) and turnover margin (-3.17).
• Iowa’s last seven wins over Northwestern have come by 12 points or more. The Hawkeyes’ scoring margin vs. the Wildcats the last seven contests is +22.0.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Iowa holds a commanding 33-12 advantage in the series, including winning the last seven contests. The Hawkeyes boast a 16-4 edge in games played in Iowa City. Iowa has won the last six and 10 of the last 11 contests in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Ironically, the Wildcats’ last trip to Iowa City was exactly two years ago today. The Hawkeyes defeated Northwestern (72-60) on January 16, 2003.

Iowa defeated Northwestern (76-61) in Evanston, Illinois, in the only meeting between the two teams last year. The Wildcats’ last victory over the Hawkeyes came on March 2, 2000, in the Big Ten Tournament (68-59).

Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder is 7-0 against Northwestern.

LAST MEETING
Iowa won its seventh straight game over Northwestern with a 76-61 triumph in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Hawkeyes trailed 22-20 midway through the first half, but closed the half on a 20-8 run to take a 40-30 advantage into halftime. Iowa out-scored Northwestern 20-10 in the paint in the first half thanks to big play from the Hawkeyes’ post players. Jamie Cavey scored 16 first half points, while Jennie Lillis added nine.

Cavey finished the contest with a game-high 24 points (11-15 FG, 2-3 FT) and a team-high eight rebounds. Lillis contributed 12 points (4-11 FG, 3-3 FT), five assists and four steals. Even with Cavey’s big game, the night belonged to Kristi Faulkner. The native of Glen Ellyn, IL, celebrated her 23rd birthday in style, scoring 22 points (8-12 FG, 3-3 FT) and grabbing five rebounds playing in her hometown. The senior tallied 16 of her points in the second half on a perfect 6-6 shooting from the field and 3-3 from the charity stripe.

Iowa collected 21 assists, out-rebounded the Wildcats (36-29) and out-scored Northwestern at the free throw line (13-3). The Wildcats did not attempt a single free throw in the first half. The Hawkeyes collected a season-low 12 team fouls.

Northwestern was led by Ifeoma Okonkwo, who posted her third double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) of the year. Alex Mueller added 11 points in the defeat.

HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.596). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.6) and field goal percentage (.541), while Johanna Solverson leads in steals (2.65). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.6).

COMPARING GAME STATS

FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .479    .326    .685    38.6    244 283 70.5Opp.    .391    .348    .728    33.5    205 247 63.8

FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.6) through 16 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).

Furthermore, VandeVenter currently ranks sixth in rebounding for an Iowa freshman. The Osseo, MN, native trails Amy Herrig (1995-96) by 19 for fifth and Toni Foster (1989-90) by 21 for fourth on the list.

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.4 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (3.4) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.4) and center Jamie Cavey (2.4).

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In eight home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponent 594-4503 (+11.4 margin), shooting 49.0 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 39.6 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 137 assists to its opponents’ 96.

In eight games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 534-517 (+2.1 margin). Opponents have recorded 89 steals to Iowa’s 60 (-3.6 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 35 blocks to their opponents 26 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Here are the home and away comparisons:

    FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSHome    .490    .372    .750    38.1    137 130 74.2Away    .468    .281    .610    39.0    107 153 66.8

NUMBERS GAME

• Senior Jenna Armstrong will play in career game No. 100 on Sunday. Among active Hawkeye players, Armstrong has played in the most career games (99), with Jamie Cavey one game behind (98).
• Junior Johanna Solverson scored point No. 200 for the season at No. 5 Ohio State Thursday night.
• Junior Tiffany Reedy is one point from career point No. 300.
• Senior Jamie Cavey scored in double figures for the 50th career time Thursday night at Ohio State.
• Senior Jamie Cavey is 30 points from collecting career point No. 1,000.

STARTING OFF FAST
Jamie Cavey scored Iowa’s first seven points in 2:47 at Michigan State on Jan. 9, while Johanna Solverson tallied the Hawkeyes’ first eight points in 1:54 vs. Penn State on Jan. 6.

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 248 points through 16 games this season. The senior has totaled 970 career points, which ranks 21st at Iowa. Cavey is 55 points from passing Tiffany Gooden (1994-98) for 20th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 72 career blocks, which ranks eighth on Iowa’s career chart. Thirty-six of her 72 blocks have come this season. Jennie Lillis was the last Hawkeye player to collect 36 blocks or more in a season when she rejected 40 shots during the 2002-03 season. Cavey is only seven rejections from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for seventh on the career chart. Furthermore, the senior is only 15 blocks from moving into fourth place.

Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 379 rebounds, which ranks 20th. Cavey is five rebounds from passing Felicia Hall (1987-91) for 19th.

IOWA BENCH COMING THROUGH
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 13-3 start. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 274-189 and 172-118, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 17.1 ppg and 10.8 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has outscored 11-of-16 opponents in bench points.

IOWA’S RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY…
The Hawkeyes are 5-1 in games decided by 6-10 points. Here is a glance at Iowa’s record in games decided by…

    OT   1-5 6-10    11-15   16-20   21+ Total    1-0 1-0 5-1 3-1 1-0 2-1 13-3

RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 193 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.

GRAHAM COMING ON STRONG
Jeneé Graham started her first collegiate game at Michigan State last Sunday. Graham played 24 minutes, scored one point and collected three rebounds and one steal. She started again at Ohio State and collected four points and four rebounds in a career-high 29 minutes of action.

She was one of Iowa’s top producers off the bench the first 14 games. The freshman has pulled down two or more rebounds in all 13 games she has played. Graham ranks fifth on the team in rebounding (3.1 rpg).

Graham had the best game of her career vs. Penn State on Jan. 6. The native of Bolingbrook, IL, posted career bests in points (11), field goals made (4) and attempted (6), rebounds (7), assists (2), free throws made (3) and attempted (6). She scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in Iowa’s road win at Illinois on Jan. 2.

HAWKEYES RANK HIGH NATIONALLY
As of games played through Jan. 10, Iowa ranks sixth nationally in least fouls per game (13.3) and field goal percentage (47.8) and 38th in scoring offense (71.4). Individually, Crystal Smith ranks 42nd in field goal percentage (53.3). Jamie Cavey ranks 15th in field goal percentage (59.7) and 28th in blocks (2.3).

ATTENDANCE RANKINGS
Iowa’s home attendance average (3,768) ranks 25th nationally in the latest attendance rankings released Jan. 10. The Hawkeyes are the sixth-highest ranked Big Ten team behind No. 5 P urdue (8,240), No. 6 Minnesota (7,790), No. 8 Penn State (7,250), No. 14 Wisconsin (5,877) and No. 15 Michigan State (5,428).

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.

SUCCESS AT THE FOUL LINE
Iowa has had four 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. Stacy Schlapkohl was a perfect 6-6 vs. Northern Iowa, while made all six attempts vs. Western Illinois.

As a team, the Hawkeyes posted season highs in free throws made (25), attempted (29) and percentage (.862) vs. Western Illinois. Johanna Solverson converted a career-high 11-13 (.846) against the Westerwinds. Prior to that game, Solverson’s career bests in a single game were four free throws made and attempted.

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
Iowa defeated Oklahoma when it was ranked 21st and also have victories over Florida and Marquette, all of whom made the tournament last season. The Hawkeyes have also handed Iowa State its only setback.

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in nine of its 16 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 7.6 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 7.3 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (30). She has also recorded two steals in five games.

IOWA FAST BREAKS

• Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 13-of-16 games.
• Iowa’s single-game season high in attendance is 4,912 (Indiana).
• The Hawkeyes have out-scored their opponents 492-312 in the paint. Only three teams have out-scored Iowa in the paint this season (Florida, Oklahoma and Ohio State).
• Jamie Cavey is the only Hawkeye to foul out this season (Marquette, Michigan State). Cavey fouled out a team-high eight times last season.
• Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 15-of-16 games this year and 41 of the last 42 contests dating back to last season.
• Iowa has led at the half in 11-of-16 games.
• Iowa has held four teams to 51 points or less (Indiana — 51; UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47).
• Fourteen of Iowa’s 15 opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field. Ohio State shot an Iowa opponent season-best 54.2 percent on Jan. 13.
• Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 13-of-16 games and have shot more free throws in all 16 contests.
• Iowa was 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 (17.0), first on the team and ninth in conference free throw percentage (.818) and first on the team and fourth in league steals (2.47). 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 has turned some heads around the nation.

“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.”

“She’s so lighting fast. She has to be the most improved player in the Big Ten,” said Penn State Head Coach Rene Portland.

Center Jamie Cavey has been a force down in the post. The senior tri-captain, ranks second on the team and 11th in the Big Ten in scoring (15.4) and first on the team and third in the conference in field goal percentage (.597).

Cavey has scored double figures in 14-of-15 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 55 of her last 57 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. 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.

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).

FRESHMEN START FOR HAWKEYES
Power forward Krista VandeVenter has started all 16 games, while point guard Abby Emmert started 14 contests.

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.

BIG TEN RANKINGS
As a team, the Hawkeyes rank third in Big Ten field goal percentage (.479), offensive rebounds (13.06) and rebounds allowed (33.5) and fourth in scoring offense (70.5), 3-point field goal percentage (.326) and fifth in assists (15.25).

Individually, Crystal Smith ranks sixth in league scoring (16.6) and field goal percentage (.541) and eighth in free throw percentage (.825) and steals (2.31). Jamie Cavey ranks 10th in scoring (15.7), 12th in rebounding (6.6), fourth in field goal percentage (.596) and blocked shots (2.25). Krista VandeVenter ranks fifth in rebounding (7.6) and third in offensive rebounds (3.06). Johanna Solverson ranks fourth in steals (2.5), 12th in assists (3.38) and 22nd in scoring (12.5).

FAST START
Iowa enjoyed its best start in 17 years. The Hawkeyes’ 13-0 is their second-best start in school history. Only the 1987-88 Iowa team, which won its first 22 games, started better than these Hawkeyes. In addition, Iowa was the last Division I team to be beaten.

Iowa’s 13-0 start matched Coach Bluder’s best start at a Division I school. The native of Marion, Iowa, guided the Drake Bulldogs to a 13-0 start in 1994 and eventually advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 56 of her last 58 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. She failed to reach the free throw line vs. Indiana (1/15/04) and vs. Marquette (12/8/04).

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 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.

RICHARDS TO REDSHIRT
Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder on Jan. 11, announced that junior point guard Lindsay Richards will redshirt this season.

“Lindsay has decided to take the redshirt this year,” said Bluder. “I think it’s a great decision. For us to have her healthy for two full years will be a great benefit to our program.”

The junior has recovered and has been participating in practices.

“In the back of my mind I made my decision a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to make sure I took everything into consideration,” commented Richards. “There’s a big difference between being able to participate and being able to compete. At this time I don’t feel I’m at the level I need to be at.”

Richards underwent successful surgery on July 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. The native of Barrington, IL, sustained the injury during practice with the Big Ten All-Stars before the team left for Australia in June, 2004. This was the second time in as many years she underwent 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.

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.

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).

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.

AFTER THIS
The Hawkeyes receive their first of two byes Thursday before returing to action on the road at nationally-ranked Purdue (Jan. 23).