Dec. 18, 2005
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery
The Iowa women’s basketball team returned to action today after a 10-day layoff and cruised to a 92-72 victory over Drake in front of a season-high 5,556 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa (5-4) dominated the undersized Drake squad, out-scoring the Bulldogs 44-32 in the paint. Hawkeye post players Krista VandeVenter, Stacy Schlapkohl and Megan Skouby combined for 47 points and 17 rebounds. The trio shot at a 77.8 percent clip (21-27) from the floor and 83.3 percent (5-6) from the foul line.
Skouby netted a career-high 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-2 FT). Skouby scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half, as the freshman only played four minutes in the first half after being whistled for two quick fouls.
VandeVenter scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half. The sophomore also corralled seven rebounds, dished out four assists, blocked one shot and matched a career high with four steals.
Schlapkohl contributed 12 of her 14 points in the first half. The native of Durant, IA, also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and collected two assists.
Receiving her first collegiate start today was freshman Kristi Smith. She directed the Hawkeye offense for 25 minutes, scoring four points, dishing out four assists and pulling down two rebounds. Iowa’s other Smith, Crystal, added a game-high 21 points (10-14 FG) and also collected four assists and four steals.
Nine Hawkeyes played 12 minutes or more today. Additionally, Iowa had 26 assists, with 10 Hawkeyes collecting one assist or more. Iowa had six players with two assists at halftime.
Drake (3-5), who lost for the fifth time in six tries, was led by Jill Martin. Martin tallied 17 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.
Iowa started the game on fire, sinking 12 of its first 16 shots from the floor and claiming a 16-point advantage (28-12) by the second media timeout of the first period. Iowa went into the locker room with a comfortable 45-29 lead. The Hawkeyes shot a blistering 60.6 percent (20-33) from the field in the first stanza.
Iowa, who improves to 4-0 when out-rebounding its opponent, out-rebounded the Bulldogs by 15 (42-27). The Hawkeyes converted 12 offensive rebounds into 14 second chance points today.
The 92 points are the most yielded by a Drake team since the Bulldogs surrendered 90 against Iowa State on Dec. 5, 2001. The 92 points are also the most scored by the Hawkeyes this season.
Iowa travels to Cedar Falls Wednesday when the Hawkeyes face Northern Iowa. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. at the UNI Dome.