Dec. 21, 2005
Tonight’s win is Iowa’s first true road win of the season. The Hawkeyes improve to 1-2 in true road contests.
Iowa improves to 10-1 against Northern Iowa, winning the last 10. Also, after losing two of its first three contests, Iowa has won five of seven.
The Hawkeyes did not attempt a 3-pointer in the first half, while the Panthers attempted 11, but only made two in the first period.
Iowa led by nine at half 31-22. Northern Iowa opened the second period on a 9-0 run to even the game at 31 with 15:50 remaining. Iowa’s Crystal Smith snapped the Hawkeyes’ scoring drought with a 3-pointer at the 15:35 mark. The 3-point attempt was Iowa’s first of the contest.
Iowa answered Northern Iowa’s 9-0 run with a 12-4 run of their own, which rebuilt Iowa’s lead to 43-35 with 10:30 remaining.
Iowa out-scored Northern Iowa 14-6 in the paint in the first half and 28-20 for the game.
Senior Crystal Smith carried the Hawkeyes again tonight, scoring 13 of her game-high 22 points in the first half. Five of her six first half field goals came on fast break.
Sophomore Krista VandeVenter grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds tonight. She has pulled down double digit rebounds in two of the last three games.
Iowa shot 51.9 percent (14-27) from the field in the first half, compared to Northern Iowa’s 26.9 percent (7-26) in the first stanza. Northern Iowa finished the game shooting 31.1 percent (19-61) from the floor, including 17.2 percent (5-29) from behind the arc.h
Megan Skouby rejected three shots tonight, raising her season total to 17. Her 17 blocks tie for fourth on Iowa’s freshman blocks chart.
Iowa improves to 6-1 when leading at the half and 5-0 when out-rebounding its opponent.
Iowa starters Stacy Schlapkohl and Krista VandeVenter combined for only three points, but 18 rebounds. The duo was a combined 0-8 from the field and 3-5 from the foul line.