March 3, 2005
Iowa improves its overall record to 20-8, marking the 13th time in school history that the Hawkeyes have posted 20 wins or more. Furthermore, it also marks the second time Iowa has reached 20 victories under Coach Bluder (21 in 2000-01).
Iowa stopped Michigan’s seven-game Big Ten Tournament opening game winning streak with a 28-point triumph (70-42) Thursday night in the first round. The Wolverines’ last tournament opening loss came in 1997.
The Hawkeyes’ 28-point victory is their largest margin of victory this season. The previous high was 24 vs. Illinois played in Iowa City on Feb. 24
The Hawkeyes improved to 16-1 when leading at the half, 18-0 when having a higher field goal percentage than their opponent and 11-0 when allowing 59 points or less.
Michigan’s 42 points are the second-lowest point total by an Iowa opponent this season (40 at Northwestern).
Junior walk-on Ebone Pope scored her first point of the season, going 1-2 from the foul line in the final seconds. Thursday night’s game marked the first time this season all 11 Hawkeyes scored at least one point.
Iowa closed the game on a 22-5 run in the final 8:16 of the game, including a 9-0 run the last 1:38.
Crystal Smith scored a game-high 23 points (9-15 FG, 1-1 FT), bolstered by 4-8 shooting from beyond the arc. The four triples equals a career best for the junior. Smith has tallied 20 points or more nine times this season. She also collected a game-high four steals. The native of Haughton, LA, has posted four steals or more six times this season.
Senior Jenna Armstrong was 1-3 from beyond the arc. Her next triple will be the 100th of her career.
Johanna Solverson led the Hawkeyes with seven rebounds, marking only the second game this season the junior has led all Hawkeye rebounders.
Abby Emmert netted eight points on 1-3 shooting from the field and perfect 6-6 from the foul line. The 6-6 from the charity stripe is career bests in free throws made and attempts. The freshman averaged 5.67 ppg the last three contests.
Tiffany Reedy pulled down a season-high six rebounds in 19 minutes of action off the bench.
Iowa out-scored Michigan 30-14 in the paint and 19-9 in points off turnovers.
The Hawkeyes drained six 3-pointers. Iowa has averaged 6.88 triples the last eight contests.
Iowa’s bench produced 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawkeyes bench averaged 15.1 ppg and 13.3 rpg entering the game.
The Hawkeyes have played Penn State only once before in a Big Ten Tournament game. The Lady Lions dropped Iowa in the quarterfinals of the 1995 tournament.