March 19, 2005
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THE SETTING
Iowa (21-9) will play its first Sportsview.tv WNIT road game in its history when the Hawkeyes travel to Lincoln, NE, to play Nebraska (18-13) Monday in second round action. The game is slated for a 7:06 p.m. tip-off in the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The winner will advance to play the winner of the Arkansas at Arkansas State game in the third round.
Tickets are $9 for lower-level reserved seats and $7 for upper-level reserved seating. General admission tickets are $5.
ON THE AIR
All Iowa WNIT games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Listen to Monday’s women’s basketball game 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.
IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 876 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 535-341 (.611). That includes a 284-152 (.651) mark in Big Ten games and a 238-58 (.804) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
RPI RANKINGS
Iowa ranked No. 44 in the RPI and No. 63 in strength of schedule at the conclusion of the regular season. Nebraska ranked No. 71 in the RPI and No. 54 in strength of schedule. The Big Ten ranks third in conference RPI, behind the ACC and SEC. Michigan State (4) is the highest Big Ten team ranked in the RPI, followed by Ohio State (10), Minnesota (14), Penn State (20), Iowa (44) and Purdue (45).
RAINING THREES
Iowa has made at least one 3-pointer in 207 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.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 0-3 in games played on March 21. The Hawkeyes lost to Louisiana Tech (66-65) in 1987, Vanderbilt (74-63) in 1996 and Virginia Tech (89-76) in 2004. All three games were in the NCAA Tournament.
NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 12
Freshman Krista VandeVenter is only 12 rebounds shy of matching Cindy Haugejorde’s Iowa single season freshman rebounding record of 237. VandeVenter has pulled down 225 boards this season and has led the Hawkeye rebounders since the first game of the season.
IOWA VS. THE WNIT FIELD
Iowa holds a 14-9 all-time record against the 15 remaining teams in the Sportsview.tv WNIT. The Hawkeyes have never faced Texas A&M, Texas A&M-CC, Arkansas State, Xavier, Chattanooga, South Florida, St. John’s.
The Hawkeyes are 6-4 vs. Nebraska, 2-3 vs. SMS, 2-0 vs. West Virginia, 0-2 vs. Arkansas (0-2) and 1-0 vs. Gonzaga, Kentucky, Wake Forest and Indiana State.
HAWKEYES IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
As of games played through March 14, Iowa ranks sixth nationally in least fouls per game (13.6), 12th in field goal percentage (.466), 40th in assists (15.8), 44th in scoring offense (69.7) and 50th in rebounding margin (+4.5). Individually, Jamie Cavey ranks 19th in field goal percentage (.559).
IOWA’S RECORD IN GAMES DECIDED BY…
The Hawkeyes are 5-1 in games decided by 11-20 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 3-2 6-4 4-1 3-0 4-2 21-9
LAST TIME OUT
Iowa held off two second-half comeback runs to cruise past defending WNIT champion Creighton, 67-52, Friday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the first round of the Sportsview.tv WNIT.
The Hawkeyes shut out the Bluejays’ second-leading scorer, Laura Spanheimer, who had been averaging 15 points a game, for just the fourth time in her career.
And Crystal Smith, who had 13 points and four rebounds in the game, capitalized off of five steals to spark the defensive game.
Iowa got off to a 6-0 start but then let Creighton, the defending WNIT champion, get as close as a point before turning in a 15-2 run. The Hawkeyes kept control the rest of the first half and went into a break with a 35-21 lead.
Senior Jamie Cavey led the Hawkeyes’ inside game and recorded 23 points, four rebounds and two steals. She was helped in the posts by Krista VandeVenter who helped out with 10 rebounds.
Creighton, which ends its season at 19-10, came out of the break with back-to-back layups by Angie Janis en route to a 10-2 run which narrowed the Hawkeye lead to six with 17 minutes to play.
Kristi Woodard led the Bluejays with 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Janis had 17 points for the game.
Iowa called a timeout during the first comeback spurt, and a very animated Bluder gave her team a pep talk.
The Hawkeyes responded with a 19-7 run which gave themselves a 16-point lead, the largest of the game.
Creighton’s tenacity came back to bite Iowa again, though, and the Bluejays were able to score eight straight points in 1 ½-minutes to cut the Hawkeyes’ lead back to seven with seven minutes to play.
But the Hawkeye defense came through again and kept Creighton scoreless until 38 seconds were on the clock and Ally Thrall came off the bench for her only 3-pointer of the night.
Cavey put in six points and Smith had three in the same stretch. Johanna Solverson also had a jumper and finished with 11 points for the game.
FINAL GAME NOTES
- Iowa has now posted 21 victories this season, which equals the highest number of wins for the Hawkeyes in Coach Bluder’s five-year tenure (21 in 2000-01).
- Junior Morgan Kasperek matched a career-high with eight rebounds.
- Freshman Jenee Graham collected a career-high three steals.
- Iowa improved to 13-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 19-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponent, 12-0 when holding opponents to 59 points or less, and 17-2 when leading at halftime.
- Jamie Cavey netted 20 points or more for the seventh time this season.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska advanced to the second round of the Sportsview.tv WNIT with a 66-57 triumph at Marquette on March 17. The Huskers took an 11-point lead into halftime (39-28) and never looked back. Nebraska assisted on 19 of its 24 field goals and drained seven 3-pointers compared to only three by Marquette. Nebraska’s Kiera Hardy scored a game-high 21 points, bolstered by 4-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Jelena Spiric tallied 13 points and eight rebounds, while Chelsea Aubry added 11 points and six boards.
Like Iowa, Nebraska finished its conference season with an even 8-8 record. Nebraska tied Oklahoma for sixth in the Big 12.
Nebraska is a very balanced basketball team. Hardy ranks first on the team in scoring (18.8 ppg), followed by five players averaging between 5.9 and 9.2 ppg. Seven of its players average between 3.1 and 5.2 rpg, with Aubry serving as the Huskers’ top rebounder, averaging 5.2 rpg.
Nebraska is coached by Ankeny, IA, native Conni Yori, who is in her second season as head coach of the Huskers.
IOWA, NEBRASKA GAME NOTES
- Iowa’s game at Nebraska will be the Hawkeyes’ first Monday game of the season.
- Jamie Cavey has netted 502 points this season, while Crystal Smith has scored 497. Only once before (2002-03) in Iowa history has two players scored 500 points or more in a single season (Kristi Faulkner, 539; Jennie Lillis, 523).
- Nebraska Head Coach Conni Yori was a four-year letterwinner at Creighton (1982-86), then served as an assistant coach for the Bluejays for three seasons (1986-89). Yori spent two seasons as head coach at Loras College (1990-92) before rejoining Creighton as its head coach. Yori coached 10 seasons at Creighton, before current Bluejay Head Coach Jim Flanery took over the head post.
- Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder has coached against Husker Head Coach Conni Yori 19 times before when both coaches mentored in the Missouri Valley Conference. Bluder owns a 12-7 advantage over Yori in games pitted against each other when Drake and Creighton played each other.
- Iowa started its season 13-0, but went 8-9 over its last 17 games. Nebraska began its season 11-4, but finished 7-9 in its last 16 contests.
- Nebraska boasts a 12-3 home record, including posting quality wins over Baylor, Oklahoma and Iowa State. The Huskers lost their last two home games to Kansas State and Colorado. Iowa is 7-4 in road contests.
- Nebraska has one Iowans on its roster: sophomore forward Jessica Gerhart (Fenton). The Huskers also have five foreign players on its roster, three of which are starters (Chelsea Aubry, Jelena Spiric and Elena Diaz).
- Nebraska, which advanced to the second round of the 2004 Sportsview.tv WNIT knocked off Drake before falling to Oregon State, also played in the 2004 SportsView.TV Preseason WNIT. The Huskers defeated Western Illinois in the opening round, before losing at Notre Dame in the second round.
- Both Iowa and Nebraska have corralled 1,122 rebounds. The Huskers have played 31 games, while the Hawkeyes have played 30.
- Johanna Solverson recorded her 150th career steal vs. Creighton Friday night. The junior is two rebounds from collecting career board No. 400.
- Iowa and Nebraska have played seven common opponents: Western Illinois, Iowa State, Missouri, Creighton, Ohio State, Marquette and Oklahoma. The Hawkeyes compiled a record of 7-2 against the before mentioned teams, while the Huskers posted a 5-4 mark.
- Jamie Cavey scored 21 points on a perfect 9-9 shooting from the field to establish a new school record for field goal percentage vs. Marquette in the 2003 WNIT Second Round.
- Nebraska is 1-1 in overtime games this season, while Iowa is 1-0.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Monday will mark the 11th meeting between Iowa and Nebraska, with the Hawkeyes owning a 6-4 advantage. The series is tied 2-2 in games played in Lincoln, NE.
The Huskers won the last game against the Hawkeyes (73-67) played on Dec. 8, 1996 in the Big Kona Classic in Kona, Hawaii. Nebraska won its seventh straight contest to start the season, a feat that was accomplished only once before at Nebraska when it upset then-No. 9 Iowa.
The last time Iowa visited Nebraska was in a 64-59 victory over the Huskers on Dec. 11, 1991.
Iowa is 37-29 (.561) all-time against current members of the Big 12 Conference, including a perfect 3-0 mark this year (Iowa State, Missouri and Oklahoma).
COMPARING GAME STATS
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSIowa .466 .339 .714 37.4 15.7 18.7 69.6Opp. .408 .347 .725 32.9 13.8 16.7 63.9
SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 991-888 in the first half, 1,082-1,025 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 19-of-30 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 15-of-30 games.
HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.557). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.6) and field goal percentage (.504), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (4.0). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.5).
HAWKEYES IN CRUNCH TIME
Iowa boasts a 20-1 record when Iowa leads with five minutes remaining in regulation — with the Hawkeyes’ only loss coming vs. Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa is only 1-8 when trailing or tied with five minutes left — with the Hawkeyes’ lone win coming at Creighton.
THREE HAWKEYES EARN BIG TEN HONORS
Senior Jamie Cavey, junior Crystal Smith, and freshman Krista VandeVenter were named to all-Big Ten teams. Cavey was selected to the all-Big Ten second team by the media and the third team by the coaches. Smith was a third team selection by both the media and coaches, while VandeVenter was named to the all-Freshman team.
HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
In 15 home games, Iowa out-scored its opponents 1,098-979 (+7.9 margin), shooting 47.4 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 42.2 shooting percentage. Iowa also posted 256 assists to its opponents’ 194 and attempted 108 more free throws (294-186). Iowa converted 75.5 percent of its free throws at home, while only 66.9 percent on the road. The Hawkeyes’ free throw percentage is 8.6 percent better at home than on the road.
In 15 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 989-939 (+3.3 margin). Opponents have recorded 156 steals to Iowa’s 126 (-2.0 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 53 blocks to their opponents 41 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has posted 3.27 more turnovers per game than its opponents on the road. Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .474 .355 .755 37.5 17.1 17.7 73.2Away .458 .321 .669 37.3 14.3 19.7 65.9
WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
In Iowa’s 21 wins, the Hawkeyes boasted a +12.9 scoring margin. Iowa averaged 72.1 ppg in its victories. The Hawkeyes also shot the ball well from the field (.481), while Hawkeye opponents have not (.376). Iowa out-rebounded its opponents 829-687 in its triumphs (+6.8 margin). Iowa attempted 175 more free throws (+8.33 margin) in its victories.
In the Hawkeyes’ nine defeats, Iowa converted only 42.8 percent of their field goal attempts and scored only 63.7 ppg. In addition, Iowa turned the ball over 20.7 times in the nine setbacks. Opponents collected 105 steals to Iowa’s 62. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .481 .335 .720 39.5 16.2 17.9 72.1Losses .428 .348 .699 32.6 14.6 20.7 63.7
FRESHMAN AMONG ELITE GROUP
Krista VandeVenter leads the Hawkeyes in rebounding (7.5) through 30 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 second in rebounding for an Iowa freshman (225). She is only 12 rebounds behind Haugejorde for first (237).
VandeVenter has pulled down 225 rebounds in 30 games, which eclipses Iowa’s team-leader Jennie Lillis’ 180 in 29 games last season.
CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 502 points through 30 contests this season. The senior has totaled 1,224 career points, which ranks 13th at Iowa. Cavey is only seven points from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for 12th.
The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 90 career blocks, which ranks fourth on Iowa’s career chart. Fifty-four of her 90 blocks have come this season. Jerica Watson was the last Hawkeye player to collect 50 rejections or more in a season when she blocked 59 during the 2001-02 season.
Cavey also cracked the top 20 in career rebounding at Michigan State. She has totaled 476 rebounds, which ranks 17th. Cavey is only seven boards from passing Michelle Edwards (1984-88) for 16th.
BLOCK PARTY
Senior Jamie Cavey has rejected 54 shots this season, a total that ranks fourth in a single-season at Iowa. She is five blocks from tying Jerica Watson (2001-02) for third place (59).
SOLVERSON CRACKS CAREER LISTS
Johanna Solverson ranks 18th in Iowa career rebounding (398), 13th in career steals (150) and 12th in assists (268). She is four thefts from moving into 12th and 11 helpers from moving into 10th.
CAVEY ON PACE TO BREAK FG PERCENTAGE RECORD
Jamie Cavey is on pace to break the school’s career field goal percentage record. Currently, Cavey is shooting .574 (481-838) for her career. Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).
CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 70 of her last 72 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).
VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 15 of its 30 games, including the first five contests of the season. VandeVenter pulled down 11 rebounds vs. Oklahoma (11/27) and Illinois (2/24) and a career-high 14 at Creighton (12/10). The freshman averages 7.5 boards per game and ranks fifth in the Big Ten. She also ranks third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (2.73). 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 at Michigan, 12 vs. Illinois and at Purdue and a career-best 19 on 8-11 FG and 3-5 from the charity stripe at Creighton. VandeVenter averages 7.1 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (59). She has also recorded two steals in nine games.
SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.23 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (4.0) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.8) and center Jamie Cavey (2.23).
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.
IOWA BASKETBALL BANQUET
The Iowa women’s basketball team will hold its annual banquet Friday, April 8 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville. Fans wanting more information should call the UI Sports Marketing Office at 319-335-9431.
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.
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).
IOWA FAST BREAKS
- The Hawkeyes won their final four regular season games after going 3-8 during the middle portion of their difficult Big Ten schedule.
- Iowa and Michigan State were the only schools to have two student-athletes rank in the top ten in overall rebounding in the Big Ten (MSU: Liz Shimek and Kelli Roehrig; IOWA: Krista VandeVenter and Jamie Cavey).
- The Hawkeyes are one of only four conference teams to have three or more players average double figures in scoring (Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa).
- Iowa has controlled the opening tip in 18-of-30 games.
- li>Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in overall games scoring (69.7), field goal percentage (.466) and rebounds allowed (32.9) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.341), rebounding margin (+4.5) and assists (15.83).
- All 11 Iowa players scored at least one point for the first time this season in Iowa’s big win over Michigan on 3/3/05.
- Iowa’s bench was unable to score any points for the first time this season in the Hawkeyes two-point defeat vs. Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals. Additionally, the bench only produced two rebounds, two assists and four turnovers. The bench played only 17 minutes.
- Iowa is 12-0 when yielding 59 points or less, 19-1 when the Hawkeyes have a higher field goal percentage than their opponent and 13-0 when collecting more steals.
- Iowa yielded a school record two offensive rebounds the entire game to No. 2 Ohio State on Feb. 13.
- Indiana only attempted one free throw in Iowa’s 56-63 victory in Bloomington on Feb. 27. The one attempt from the foul line is a school record for an Iowa opponent in a single game.
- Iowa is 21-9, marking the 13th time in school history that the Hawkeyes have posted 20 victories or more. Furthermore, it also is the second time Iowa has reached the 20-win plateau under Coach Bluder (21 in 2000-01).
- Iowa has recorded eight top 100 wins, including three top 50 victories. Twelve of the Hawkeyes’ 20 triumphs have come vs. teams over 100 in the RPI.
- Iowa stopped Michigan’s seven-game Big Ten Tournament opening game winning streak with a 28-point triumph (70-42) in the first round. The 28-point victory is the Hawkeyes’ largest margin of victory this year.
- Junior Ebone Pope scored her first career point vs. Michigan on 3/3/05, converting 1-2 free throws in the final minute of the game.
- The Hawkeyes have attempted 566 free throws compared to their opponents’ 356. Iowa has attempted 210 more free throws than its opponents, attempting 7.0 more free throws per game than its opponent.
- Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 28-of-30 games this year and 54 of the last 56 contests dating back to last season.
- Iowa has held six teams to 53 points or less (Indiana — 51; UW-Milwaukee –51; Southern Illinois — 50; Northern Iowa — 50; Oklahoma — 47; Northwestern — 40, Indiana — 53, Michigan — 42, Creighton — 52).
- Twenty-five of Iowa’s 30 opponents have shot less than 50 percent from the field. Ohio State shot 54.2 percent on Jan. 13 and 57.1 percent on Feb. 13 against the Hawkeyes.
- Iowa has had more assists than its opponents in 22-of-30 games and have shot more free throws in 27-of-30 contests.
- The Hawkeyes posted season highs in field goal percentage (.615, 32-52) and 3-pointers made (11) vs. Illinois on Feb. 24.
- Iowa is 3-5 in overtime games under Coach Bluder.
COMEBACK KIDS
Iowa has posted two substantial second half comebacks this season and nearly pulled off a third.
The Hawkeyes trailed by 17 points with 16 minutes remaining vs. Northwestern on Jan. 16. Iowa rallied to win 81-76 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa erased a 15-point second half deficit with 13 minutes left in regulation at Creighton on Dec. 10. The Hawkeyes won 91-82 in overtime in the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 20 points with 11:30 remaining vs. Penn State on Jan. 6. Iowa trimmed the Lady Lion advantage to two points with 3:30 left, but were unable to tie or take the lead down the stretch. Penn State won the contest 77-71 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes’ biggest comeback under Coach Bluder was a 19-point second half rally with 19 minutes remaining to bounce Indiana (81-76) from the 2001 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
IOWA BENCH PRODUCES
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 21-9 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 441-390 and 292-213, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 14.7 ppg and 9.7 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 16-of-30 opponents in bench points.
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 second on the team and fifth in Big Ten in scoring (16.6), first on the team and eighth in conference free throw percentage (.787) and first on the team and fourth in league steals (2.4). The native of Haughton, LA, netted 20 points or more nine times, which ranks seventh in the Big Ten. She netted a career-high 33 points at Drake on Dec. 18. Smith’s performances 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 first on the team and sixth in the Big Ten in scoring (16.7) and first on the team and third in the conference in field goal percentage (.558).
Cavey has scored double figures in 28-of-30 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 70 of her last 72 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. Cavey has led Iowa in scoring 12 of the last 17 contests. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.
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 30 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.
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.
“There’s a big difference between being able to participate and being able to compete,” commented Richards. “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.
JANE MEYER APPOINTED TO NCAA BASKETBALL COMMITTEE
University of Iowa Senior Associate Athletic Director Jane Meyer has been appointed by the NCAA Championships/Competition Cabinet to the 10-member Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Meyer’s five-year term begins Sept., 2005 and continues through Sept., 2010. Meyer joins Jacki Silar of Duke and Tina Cheatham of the Southland Conference as new additions to the committee.
The basketball committee is responsible for the administration of the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament. One of its primary functions is the selection of teams and creation of the bracket for the annual tournament. The committee also selects sites for future tournaments and assigns crews of officials.
“With my background in basketball, I have always had an interest in serving on this committee,” said Meyer. “This is a good opportunity to represent our institution and conference.”
Meyer’s appointment marks the first time an Iowa athletic director has been chosen to the Women’s Basketball Committee. Bob Bowlsby has been on the Men’s Basketball Committee the past five seasons, serving as chair the last two.
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.