Nov. 27, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – – The Iowa Hawkeyes led start-to-finish cruising to a lobsided 88-41 triumph over Rider in the consolation game of the Odwalla Classic. The 47-point victory ranks as the ninth-largest in school history.
Leading 35-19 at halftime, the Hawkeyes scored the first 21 points of the second half and out-scored Rider 29-2 in the first 10:30 of the second stanza.
Senior Crystal Smith paced Iowa, scoring a game-high 24 points and collecting five rebounds and four assists. Smith, who was named to the all-tournament team, equaled a school record for field goal percentage in a game, sinking all nine field goal attempts, including all four 3-pointers. She was also drained both free throw attempts.
Smith averaged set or tied four school records in three games this week. She averaged 28.3 ppg during the three-game stretch.
Iowa had five players in double figures for the first time this season. In addition to Smith, freshman Megan Skouby netted 11, while senior Tiffany Reedy, freshman Nicole VanderPol and senior Stacy Schlapkohl all contributed 10 points. The 10 points by VanderPol is a career high. Additionally, senior Morgan Kasperek led all rebounders for the first time in her career with six boards.
The Hawkeyes shot the ball extremely well, converting a season-best 63.2 percent (36-57) from the field and also drained 88.9 percent (8-9) from the charity stripe.
Nine Hawkeyes contributed to Iowa’s season-high 30 assists. Sophomore Abby Emmert dished out a career-high seven assists, while sophomore Krista VandeVenter collected five.
Iowa was on fire in the second half, making its first six field goal attempts, including three-straight triples by Smith. The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 68.8 percent (22-32), including 70.0 percent (7-10) from 3-point range, in the second period.
Rider was led by Monica Welborn, who netted 13 points. Iowa’s defense limited the Broncs to only 24.5 percent (13-53) from the field for the game.
Iowa out-rebounded the Broncs 40-24, marking the first contest this season the Hawkeyes had more rebounds than their opponent.
The Hawkeyes return to action Wednesday when Iowa hosts UW-Green Bay. Tip-off is slated for 5:35 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.