Iowa Advances to WNIT Quarterfinals

March 22, 2005

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THE SETTING
Iowa (22-9) will play Arkansas State (21-10) at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids Thursday in the Sportsview.tv WNIT Quarterfinals. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. The winner will advance to play the winner of the Texas A&M at Southwest Missouri State game in the WNIT Semifinals.

Iowa will not be able to host Arkansas State in Carver-Hawkeye Arena due to an arena conflict with the Hawkeyes hosting the 2005 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships this weekend.

Tickets are $9 for adults, $6 for youths and groups of five or more and children under the age of five will be admitted free. Tickets are available at the U.S. Cellular Center Box Office and the IMU Box Office. Fans can also purchase tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at your local Ticketmaster number or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

ON THE AIR
All Iowa WNIT games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Listen to Thursday’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 will call the action.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 877 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 536-341 (.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. Arkansas State ranked No. 74 in the RPI and No. 95 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 208 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 1-0 in games played on March 24. The Hawkeyes defeated USC (79-67) in the “Sweet 16” of the 1988 NCAA Tournament.

NUMBER OF THE WEEK – – 2
Crystal Smith (518) and Jamie Cavey (506) became only the second Iowa duo to net 500 points or more in a single season. Kristi Faulkner (539) and Jennie Lillis (537) accomplished the feat during the 2002-03 season. Smith’s 518 points rank 10th in Iowa single season history, while Cavey’s 506 points rank 11th.

IOWA VS. THE WNIT FIELD
Iowa holds a 6-3 all-time record against the seven remaining teams in the Sportsview.tv WNIT. The Hawkeyes have never faced Texas A&M, Arkansas State or Xavier.

The Hawkeyes are 2-3 vs. SMS, 2-0 vs. West Virginia and 1-0 vs. Kentucky and Wake Forest.

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).

LAST TIME OUT
The Iowa women’s basketball team led start-to-finish upending Nebraska 71-67 in the Sportsview.tv WNIT Second Round Monday night in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Iowa jumped out to a quick 9-0 advantage, making 10 of its first 13 field goal attempts. The Hawkeyes built their largest lead up to 13 (23-10) with 11:21 left in the first half before the Cornhuskers went on a 15-4 run to trim Iowa’s advantage to three (25-22) with 8:18 remaining in the stanza. The Hawkeyes maintained their composure and took a six-point lead into halftime (40-34).

The Hawkeyes posted half season highs in field goal percentage (60.7, 17-28) and fewest turnovers (4) in the first frame. Iowa also scored its 40 first half points without its leading scorer entering the game – Jamie Cavey. The native of Mechanicsviile, Iowa, played only four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. In fact, the senior was in foul trouble all game and finished the game scoring a season-low four points on only 1-2 shooting from the field and 2-3 from the charity stripe in a season-low 17 minutes of action.

Replacing Cavey was Stacy Schlapkohl. The native of Durant, Iowa, stepped up in a huge way and scored eight first half points on 4-6 shooting from the field during Cavey’s absence. For the game Schlapkohl netted 12 points on 6-8 shooting in a season-high 23 minutes of action. The 12 points were her second-highest output of the season (Northern Iowa, 18).

Midway through the second half, Nebraska went on a 7-0 run to tie the game 49-49. The Hawkeyes answered with their own run of 8-0, spearheaded by Crystal Smith. The junior scored six of the eight points and finished the contest scoring a team-high 21 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 FT). She also finished with four assists and three steals.

Smith helped slam the door shut on the pesky Cornhuskers as Nebraska had an opportunity to tie the game trailing 70-67 with under a minute remaining, but Smith pick-pocketed Nebraska’s best player, Kiera Hardy, and passed the ball to freshman Krista VandeVenter who was immediately fouled. VandeVenter drained one of her two foul shots to give Iowa a 71-67 advantage with nine seconds remaining to secure the victory.

Hardy netted a game-high 26 points, bolstered by 7-11 shooting from 3-point range. Jelena Spiric tallied 18 points and six rebounds in defeat.

Hawkeye junior Johanna Solverson had another spectacular game, scoring 18 points on 7-12 shooting from the field, including 3-5 from beyond the arc, and collecting five rebounds and a game-high six assists. Senior Jenna Armstrong netted five points and matched a career best with six helpers.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Iowa improved to 4-0 against Big XII opponents and 13-0 against non-conference foes this season.
• Iowa improved to 14-0 when collecting more steals than its opponent, 20-1 when having a higher field goal percentage than its opponent, 10-0 when having fewer turnovers and 18-2 when leading at halftime.

SCOUTING ARKANSAS STATE
Arkansas State won its first two WNIT games against Southeastern Conference teams at home; first bouncing Mississippi State (78-61), followed by Arkansas (98-84). The Lady Indians defeated Arkansas in front of 10,892, which is a school record at the Convocation Center. Arkansas State attempted 51 free throws, sinking 37 en route to the 14-point win. Five Arkansas State players scored double figures, including two players netting 20 points or more. Ali Carter tallied a team-high 25 points, while Adrianne Davie added 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Davie ranks first on the squad in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (10.0). Carter ranks second in scoring (13.9) and first in 3-pointers made (52). Rudy Sims ranks third in scoring (11.7) and first in assists (151).

Arkansas State tied for second in the east division of the Sun Belt Conference this season with a league mark of 11-3.

Arkansas State is coached by Brian Boyer, who is in his sixth year as head coach. Boyer has mentored the Lady Indians to a 40-20 (.667) record the last two seasons.

IOWA, ARKANSAS STATE GAME NOTES

• Arkansas State has one Iowan on its roster: Vanessa Schrock (Cedar Rapids). Schrock played her prep ball at Kennedy before playing two seasons at Kirkwood CC. Schrock has started all 31 games this season for the Lady Indians, averaging 5.0 ppg and 5.8 rpg.
• The Hawkeyes will practice at the U.S. Cellular Center Wednesday and also have their shoot-around on the court early Thursday afternoon.
• Iowa is 4-1 all-time in WNIT games, while Arkansas State is 4-2 in WNIT contests; neither team has reached the semifinals in its history.
• Arkansas State is 14-2 in its last 16 games, while Iowa is 9-7.
• Arkansas State is 13-0 in home contests, while it is 8-10 away from Jonesboro. Iowa is 11-4 in home games, while it is 11-5 in contests away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• Iowa’s Krista VandeVenter has amassed 231 rebounds this season, which is six shy of the Iowa freshman single season record currently held by Cindy Haugejorde (1976-77).
• Iowa is 11 assists shy of 500 for the season, a feat that has been accomplished only four times in Iowa’s 30-year history (572 in 2000-01, 567 in 2002-03, 518 in 2001-02 and 512 in 1986-87). Three of the four 500-plus assist seasons have come under Coach Bluder.
• Arkansas State’s Ali Carter ranks eighth nationally in free throw percentage (.882) as of games played through March 14.
• Five of Arkansas State’s 14-player roster are transfers (Amanda Gragg, Rodneikka Freeman, Ronnie Maglaughlin, Zaneta Lane and Vanessa Schrock), including four from junior colleges.
• Iowa’s Crystal Smith is 5-6, while Arkansas State sophomore guard Amanda Gragg checks in at only 5-2. Smith has played all 31 contests this season, while Gragg has played only five.
• Iowa has played its first two WNIT games against Nebraska schools (Nebraska and Creighton), while Arkansas State played two Southeastern Conference teams (Mississippi State and Arkansas).
• Thursday will be the first Iowa women’s basketball game at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.
• Iowa and Arkansas State have played one common opponent: Minnesota. Both the Hawkeyes and Lady Indians lost at Minnesota. Iowa fell 81-50 on Feb. 3, while Arkansas State lost 82-45 on Nov. 19 in its season opener.
• 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.
• Arkansas State is 0-1 in overtime games this season, while Iowa is 1-0.
• The Lady Indians converted 37-51 free throws Monday night vs. Arkansas. Iowa converted 25-29 from the charity stripe vs. Western Illinois for its free throw season highs.

ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
Thursday will be the first-ever meeting between Iowa and Arkansas State.

The Hawkeyes are 8-3 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. Iowa’s most recent game against a Sun Belt Conference institution was at Florida International (W, 93-86 in 2003).

COMPARING GAME STATS
FG%  3-PT%   FT% REB AST TO  PTSIowa    .468    .340    .714    37.2    15.8    18.5    69.6Opp.    .406    .352    .732    33.0    13.8    16.6    64.0

SCORING BY HALVES
Iowa has out-scored its opponents 1,031-922 in the first half, 1,113-1,058 in the second half and 14-5 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have led at halftime in 20-of-31 contests. Iowa has out-scored its opponent in the second half in 15-of-31 games.

HEAD OF THE CLASS
Jamie Cavey leads Big Ten seniors in field goal percentage (.557). Crystal Smith leads conference juniors in scoring (16.7) and field goal percentage (.507), while Johanna Solverson leads league juniors in assists (4.06). Krista VandeVenter leads league freshman in rebounding (7.5).

HAWKEYES IN CRUNCH TIME
Iowa boasts a 21-1 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.

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 4-2 6-4 4-1 3-0 4-2 22-9

BLOCK PARTY
Senior Jamie Cavey has rejected 55 shots this season, a total that ranks fourth in a single-season at Iowa. She is four blocks from tying Jerica Watson (2001-02) for third place (59).

CAVEY CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
Senior Jamie Cavey has amassed 506 points through 30 contests this season. The senior has totaled 1,228 career points, which ranks 13th at Iowa. Cavey is only three points from passing Lisa Long (1983-87) for 12th.

The Mechanicsville, IA, native has also collected 91 career blocks, which ranks fourth on Iowa’s career chart. Fifty-five of her 91 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 481 rebounds, which ranks 17th. Cavey is only two boards from passing Michelle Edwards (1984-88) for 16th.

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 16 games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 1,060-1,006 (+3.4 margin). Opponents have recorded 162 steals to Iowa’s 135 (-1.7 margin) on the road. Also, the Hawkeyes have recorded 54 blocks to their opponents 44 away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has posted 2.9 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    .462    .324    .671    36.8    14.6    19.3    66.2

WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
In Iowa’s 22 wins, the Hawkeyes boasted a +12.5 scoring margin. Iowa averaged 72.0 ppg in its victories. The Hawkeyes also shot the ball well from the field (.483), while Hawkeye opponents have not (.375). Iowa out-rebounded its opponents 859-724 in its triumphs (+6.1 margin). Iowa attempted 178 more free throws (+8.1 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    .483    .336    .720    39.0    16.3    17.6    72.0Losses  .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 31 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 (231). She is only six rebounds behind Haugejorde for first (237).

VandeVenter has pulled down 231 rebounds in 31 games, which eclipses Iowa’s team-leader Jennie Lillis’ 180 in 29 games last season.

VANDEVENTER CLEANS THE GLASS
Krista VandeVenter has been Iowa’s leading rebounder in 16 of its 31 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 (2.71). 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 7.0 ppg. The post player also ranks fourth in assists (60). She has also recorded two steals in ten games.

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 19-of-31 games.
• Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in overall games scoring (69.6), field goal percentage (.468) and rebounds allowed (33.0) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.340), rebounding margin (+4.1) and assists (15.77).
• 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, 20-1 when the Hawkeyes have a higher field goal percentage than their opponent, 14-0 when collecting more steals and 10-0 when having fewer turnovers.
• 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 22-9, 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 583 free throws compared to their opponents’ 370. Iowa has attempted 213 more free throws than its opponents, attempting 6.9 more free throws per game than its opponent.
• Iowa’s single-game season high in attendance is 5,753 (Northwestern).
• Jamie Cavey has scored double figures in 28-of-31 games this year and 54 of the last 57 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-six of Iowa’s 31 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 23-of-31 games and have shot more free throws in 28-of-31 contests.
• The Hawkeyes posted season highs in field goal percentage (.615, 32-52) and 3-pointers made (11) vs. Illinois on Feb. 24.
• Iowa was 4-0 against teams from the Big XII (Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska) and 4-0 vs. Missouri Valley Conference teams (Drake, Southern Illinois, Creighton, Northern Iowa).
• 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.
• 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.

CAVEY REACHES THE CHARITY STRIPE
Senior Jamie Cavey has attempted at least one free throw in 71 of her last 73 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).

SHARING THE WEALTH
Iowa’s triangle offense generates many assists. The Hawkeyes have three players who average 2.19 assists or more. Small forward Johanna Solverson (4.06) leads the team, followed by shooting guard Crystal Smith (2.84) and center Jamie Cavey (2.19).

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).

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 (482-840) for her career. Michelle Edwards holds the career mark (.535, 777-1451).

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.

SOLVERSON CRACKS CAREER LISTS
Johanna Solverson ranks 19th in Iowa career rebounding (403), 13th in career steals (152) and 12th in assists (274). She is two thefts from moving into 12th and only five helpers from moving into 10th.

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 31 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.

IOWA BENCH PRODUCES
Iowa’s bench play has been one of the keys to its 22-9 record. Iowa’s bench has outscored and out-rebounded its opponents 459-402 and 299-223, respectively. The Hawkeyes average 14.8 ppg and 9.6 rpg from their bench players. Iowa has out-scored 17-of-31 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 first on the team and fifth in Big Ten in scoring (16.7), first on the team and eighth in conference free throw percentage (.781) and first on the team and fourth in league steals (2.42). The native of Haughton, LA, netted 20 points or more ten times, which ranks sixth 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 second on the team and sixth in the Big Ten in scoring (16.3) and first on the team and third in the conference in field goal percentage (.557).

Cavey has scored double figures in 28-of-31 contests. Furthermore, she has scored double digits in 70 of her last 73 games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. Cavey has led Iowa in scoring 12 of the last 18 contests. She was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and Junkanoo Jam all-Tournament teams.