Dec. 6, 2005
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The Setting ? Iowa (4-3) returns to action when it travels to Iowa State (3-1) Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum (14,092). The game is the fourth event in the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series.
Iowa just concluded a stretch where it played seven games in 15 days (Nov. 20-Dec. 4), and now will only play two games in 14 days (Dec. 5-18).
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa State leads the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 5-2. Iowa State recorded a 2-1 victory in women’s soccer and a 23-3 win in football. Iowa collected a 20-15 triumph in wrestling last Friday in Ames.
A point system will track each institution’s performance and will culminate in one institution winning the annual trophy for the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. Intercollegiate athletic teams from Iowa and Iowa State will square off in head-to-head competition eight different times during the 2005-06 academic year. The competition this season is in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, women’s gymnastics (2), women’s soccer and softball. Additional points will be available for each school based on successful performance in the classroom by its student-athletes.
On the Radio ? Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call the action for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the game on WHO 1040-AM in Des Moines, WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids and KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City.
The game can also be heard live over the Internet at www.hawkeyesports.com. Just click on “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
On the Tube ? Thursday’s game will be televised live in Iowa on the Mediacom Connections Channel. The game can also be viewed on ESPNs Full Court pay-per-view service, check with your local cable or satellite provider for channel. Dave Armstrong and Kelly Hanfelt will call the action.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 886 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 541-345 (.611). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 241-59 (.803) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Steak Busters ? For the first time in 217 games Iowa, failed to make at least one 3-pointer when the Hawkeyes shot 0-6 from behind the arc vs. No. 6 Rutgers Sunday. The 216-game streak spanned seven seasons and started on March 13, 1998.
Smith Leads Big Ten ? Senior Crystal Smith leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 21.9 ppg. Only three Iowa players have finished a season averaging 20 points or more. Cindy Haugejorde averaged 21.0 ppg (23 games) in 1977-78 and 23.2 ppg (29 games) in 1979-80. Michelle Edwards averaged 20.0 ppg (31 games) in 1987-88, while Franthea Price averaged 21.2 ppg (29 games) in 1989-90. Smith has led Iowa in scoring the last six contests.
On This Date ? Iowa is 7-5 in games played on December 8, including winning its last two.
Century Club ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder reached another milestone last weekend as Bluder collected her 100th victory as Iowa Head Coach in Iowa’s 79-57 triumph over Vermont on Dec. 3. Bluder, who is the second all-time winningest Iowa coach, boasts a 100-62 (.617) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Scouting Iowa State ? Iowa State (3-1) enters Thursday’s game on a two-game winning streak after picking up wins over North Florida (74-48) and Drake (69-57). The Cyclones have only played four games, while Iowa has played seven. Thursday will only be Iowa State’s second home contest.
Iowa State junior Lyndsey Medders poured in a career-high 32 points in the Cyclones’ triumph over in-state rival Drake last Sunday. The 32 points matches the ninth-best single game performance in Cyclone history. Sophomore Lisa Bildeaux came off the bench and grabbed eight rebounds and a career-best six points in a career-high 30 minutes of action. Freshman Nicky Wieben rejected a career-high five shots en route to victory.
Medders ranks first in team scoring (18.0) and assists (32). Brittany Wilkins ranks second in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (7.3), while Megan Ronhovde ranks first in rebounding (9.0) and fourth in scoring (9.3).
Bill Fennelly is in his 18th year as a head coach (384-151, .718), and his 11th with Iowa State (218-98, .690).
All-Time Series Record ? Thursday will be the 36th meeting between Iowa and Iowa State, with the Hawkeyes leading the series 20-15. Iowa State holds an 8-6 advantage in games played in Ames.
The home team has won the last four meetings, including Iowa winning last year’s contest (89-80) in Iowa City. The Cyclones defeated Iowa (101-94) in double overtime in Ames on Dec. 3, 2003.
Common Opponents ? Iowa and Iowa State share three common opponents: Drake, Northern Iowa and Minnesota. The Cyclones defeated Drake (69-57) Sunday, while the Hawkeyes will host Drake on Dec. 18 and Minnesota on Jan. 22, while they will visit Northern Iowa on Dec. 21.
Last Time Out ? Iowa defeated Vermont (79-57) in the first round of the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge, but fell to sixth-ranked Rutgers (57-51) in the championship game.
In Iowa’s 22-point win over the Catamounts, Iowa out-scored Vermont 22-9 at the foul line and out-rebounded the Catamounts 45-33. Crystal Smith and Stacy Schlapkohl both scored double figures to pace the Hawkeyes. Smith posted game highs in points (26) and steals (6), while Schlapkohl netted 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Iowa was unable to overcome an 8-0 Rutgers run to start the championship game as the Scarlet Knights out-lasted the Hawkeyes 57-51 to claim the 20th annual KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge and remain undefeated (5-0). Iowa trimmed the deficit to two points five times in the second half, but were not able to tie or take the lead. In addition to former Iowa Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer returning to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Sunday’s contest was the 300th women’s game in the arena.
Tournament MVP Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 22 points to lead Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights out-rebounded Iowa, 40-31, bolstered by a game-high 16 rebounds by Mariota Theodoris.
Smith scored 11 of her 17 points from the foul line, while Krista VandeVenter tallied 15 points and a team-high six rebounds and three steals.
All-Tournament Selections ? Senior Crystal Smith and sophomore Krista VandeVenter were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament team. Smith also garnered Odwalla Classic All-Tournament accolades for her efforts Nov. 25-26 in San Francisco, CA.
Cleaning the Glass ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks seventh in Big Ten rebounding (7.6) and fifth in defensive rebounding (5.57). The native of Osseo, MN, has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding four times this season.
VandeVenter shattered Iowa’s single season freshmen rebounding record last year, pulling down 252 boards (7.6 rpg).
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class has averaged 24.1 ppg in its first seven contests. Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore lead the freshmen offensive attack. Skouby ranks fourth in team scoring (8.1) and third in rebounding (4.3), Smith ranks fifth in scoring (7.3) and fourth in assists (15), while Ausdemore ranks seventh in scoring (6.3). Ausdemore also ranks fourth in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.467).
Nyenhuis Returns ? After missing Iowa’s first five games to a foot injury, freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis hit the court for her first taste of game action vs. Vermont on Dec. 3. The native of Grand Rapids, MI, played the last three minutes and grabbed one rebound.
Five Spot ? Crystal Smith, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 28, broke or tied five school records in two games during Thanksgiving week.
The senior broke school records for points (46) and free throws attempted (19) in a game and equaled school records in free throws made (15) and 3-pointers attempted (14) in Iowa’s 95-91 double overtime setback at Louisiana Tech on Nov. 22. The native of Haughton, LA, also matched the school record for field goal percentage (9-9, 1.000) in the Hawkeyes’ 88-41 rout over Rider on Nov. 26.
In the three games, Smith averaged 28.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game. She finished the week 26-of-55 (.473) from the field, 10-of-25 (.400) from the perimeter and 23-of-28 (.821) at the line.
Home Sweet Home ? Iowa will play only one game outside the state of Iowa in December (Indiana on Dec. 29). The Hawkeyes’ final two non-conference road games are at Iowa State (Dec. 8) and Northern Iowa (Dec. 21).
Reedy Set Go ? Senior Tiffany Reedy played in her 100th career game Saturday vs. Vermont. The native of Dysart, IA, has had a great start to the 2005-06 campaign, averaging 7.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg and ranking second on the team in steals with 15. Reedy collected 14 thefts and averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 33 contests last season. She is also well on her way to surpassing her high mark of 19 triples made in each of her first three seasons. Reedy has already drained nine 3-pointers and is shooting at a 42.9 percent clip from behind the arc.
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 18th nationally in the first unofficial women’s basketball attendance released Dec. 5.
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks No. 62, while Iowa State ranks 103rd in the RPI ratings published on Dec. 5 on www.collegerpi.com.
Iowa Fastbreaks ? Iowa’s last three opponents (UW-Green Bay, Vermont and Rutgers) finished with 57 points.
The winner of Iowa’s last four games have led start-to-finish.
The Hawkeyes posted season lows in points (51), field goals made (18) and attempted (47), points in the paint (16), points off turnovers (9), second chance points (5), fast break points (2), 3-pointers made (0) and attempted (6) and steals (5) in their loss to No. 6 Rutgers.
Lisa Bluder fell to 0-5 in games coached against C. Vivian Stringer.
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks second in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in four of its first eight games. The Hawkeyes are 3-1 when scoring 80 points or more.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage defense (.264), second in scoring offense (77.1), 3-point field goals made (5.43), blocked shots (5.0) and 3-point field goal percentage (.418), third in assists (17.86), scoring margin (+15.1), field goal percentage defense (.361) and field goal percentage (.479) and fourth in free throw percentage (.731) and steals (10.71).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks first in league scoring (21.9), fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.29), sixth in steals (2.29) and seventh in free throw percentage (.850). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks third in blocked shots (1.71). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks seventh in rebounding (7.6), while freshman Wendy Ausdemore ranks fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.467).
Making the List ? Iowa has recorded two victories by 40 points or more this season. The Hawkeyes posted a 40-point triumph (82-42) over UW-Milwaukee on Nov. 20. The 40-point win ranks as the 15th-largest margin of victory in school history. Iowa registered a 47-point victory (88-41) over Rider on Nov. 26. The 47-point win ranks as the ninth-largest margin of victory in Iowa history.
Iowa has posted six wins of 40 points or more under Coach Bluder (48 – UT-Pan American, 2001; 47 — Rider; 45 – Western Illinois, 2000; 43 – Creighton, 2002; 40 – Northwestern, 2001; 40 — UW-Milwaukee, 2005).
More on Smith’s Records ? Crystal Smith’s 46 points bested Cindy Haugejorde’s 44-point effort vs. Luther College on Jan. 12, 1977. In addition, the 46 points is the second-most scored in a single game in Big Ten history. Illinois’ Kendra Gantt and Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante both netted 49 points. The 46 points are the most ever scored by a Louisiana Tech opponent, besting the previous record of 43 points scored by USCs Cheryl Miller, and was one point from a Thomas Assembly Center record.
Smith’s 19 free throws attempted topped the previous school record held by Nadine Domond and Amy Herrig. Domond attempted 16 foul shots vs. UCSB on Nov. 25, 1995, while Herrig attempted 16 free throws vs. Nebraska on Dec. 8, 1996. The 19 free throws attempted ranks eighth in Big Ten annals with five others.
Smith’s 15 free throws made equaled Amy Herrig’s school record of 15 established vs. Nebraska on Dec. 8, 1996. The 15 foul shots made ranks seventh in league history with eight others.
Smith’s 14 three-pointers attempted equals the school record previously set by Lindsey Meder twice before. Meder attempted 14 at Colorado on Dec. 2, 2001 and vs. Ohio State on Jan. 3, 2002.
Smith’s perfect 9-9 (1.000) shooting performance from the field matched Jamie Cavey’s record of 9-9 (1.000) vs. Marquette on March 23, 2003. All of Cavey’s field goals were two-point baskets, while four of Smith’s five were from behind the arc.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (159) is only seven steals from tying Cara Consuegra (166) for 11th on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (847) is also only four points from matching Lynn Kennedy (851) for 25th in career scoring at Iowa.
Injured Hawkeyes ? Two players expected to start this year suffered season-ending ACL injuries over the summer. Point guard Lindsay Richards sustained her third ACL injury in as many years on her right knee in June playing a “pick-up” game in Pinehurst, North Carolina while serving as an intern for the PGA U.S. Open Golf Tournament. Like Richards, small forward Johanna Solverson sustained her ACL injury while playing a “pick-up” game. Solverson suffered the injury while playing a game at a DePaul Sports Camp in July. The Chicago area native has been a camp instructor at the DePaul the last two summers.
Young Guns ? Iowa is tied for 15th in the nation with the most underclassmen on its roster. The Hawkeyes are tied with 16 other schools, including Big Ten schools Northwestern and Illinois, with nine underclassmen on its roster. The Hawkeyes have four freshmen and five sophomores on its roster. Air Force (13) leads the nation, followed by New Orleans (12). Michigan is tied for seventh (10), while Penn State (8) and Wisconsin (8) are tied for 31st.
Home Grown Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s roster features six players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Abby Emmert, Ebone Pope, Tiffany Reedy, Stacy Schlapkohl and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have four players from Illinois (Jenee Graham, Morgan Kasperek, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson). Iowa’s 15-person roster also features players from Colorado (Kristi Smith), Louisiana (Crystal Smith), Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis), Minnesota (Krista VandeVenter) and Ohio (Megan Skouby).
Center of Attention ? For the fifth time during Coach Bluder’s Iowa tenture, the Hawkeyes started the season with a different center. Jamie Cavey started for the Hawkeyes the last two years. She became Iowa’s first center to start consecutive seasons since Amy Herrig (1997-99). Randi Peterson was Iowa’s starter in 2000-01, followed by Beatrice Bullock (2001-02), Tracy Schrupp (2002-03) and Jamie Cavey (2003-05).
Iowa’s two centers on its 2005-06 roster are sophomore Stacy Schlapkohl and freshman Megan Skouby.
Nuthin’ But Net ? Catch all the University of Iowa women’s basketball games on the radio and the Internet (www.hawkeyesports.com). Fans can listen to live or archived games with a subscription to “Hawkeye All-Access”.
Brent Balbinot is in his second season as the play-by-play voice, while Shelley Till is in her first season as the color analyst.
Hawkeyes Pen Quoie ? Iowa signed Woodbury, MN, native Zoraa Quoie to a National Letter of Intent this fall. She was an all-conference and honorable mention all-state selection her junior year. Quoie averaged 10.6 ppg and just fewer than four steals per game on a team that won its conference and finished 25-3 last season. Her Woodbury High School team also captured a league title and finished third at the Minnesota state tournament her sophomore year. Quoie was a reserve her sophomore year, but started last season. She was also an all-state sprinter on the track team her freshman year.
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.
On the Horizon ? Iowa returns to the hardwood after a 10-day break for finals, as it hosts Drake on December 18 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
“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 6-7 p.m. Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600. The show originates from Bob’s Your Uncle restaurant on the eastside of Iowa City.
Big Ten Tournament Tickets on Sale ? All-session tickets for the 2006 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament are $55. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (317) 239-5151.
The tournament returns to Indianapolis for the 11th time in 12 years and has attracted more than 30,000 fans for each of the last four events. Just two years ago, the Big Ten set a pair of attendance records when the 2004 championship game was played in front of a single-session record of 9,417 fans, which established an overall tournament record of 37,635 spectators. In the past 11 years of Big Ten Tournament play, the conference has welcomed more than 314,000 fans. Five different league representatives have become tournament champions. Purdue leads all teams with five titles followed by two championships for both Iowa and Penn State and a single title for Indiana and Michigan State.