Dec. 22, 2005
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The Setting ? Iowa (6-4) concludes its non-conference schedule Friday as it hosts Creighton (2-6). Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youths and University students are admitted free with student I.D.
Friday will be Iowa’s third game in six days and its third-straight against a Missouri Valley Conference opponent. The Hawkeyes have won seven of their last eight contests against MVC foes.
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 “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
On This Date ? Iowa is 1-1 in games played on December 23. The Hawkeyes haven’t played a game this close to Christmas since a 74-71 loss to Drake in 1980.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 889 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 543-346 (.611). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 242-59 (.804) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Smith Ranks Second in Big Ten Scoring ? Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in Big Ten scoring (20.9), trailing only Michigan State’s Liz Shimek (21.7). Smith’s 20.9 scoring average also ranks 17th nationally. 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 eight contests.
Smith’s 46 points at Louisiana Tech are the most scored in a game by any player in the nation this season. San Diego’s Michelle Augustavo ranks second, after netting 42 points vs. Clemson on Dec. 11.
Scouting Creighton ? Creighton will look to snap a four-game losing skid Friday. Like the Hawkeyes, the Bluejays played Wednesday night on the road, but unlike Iowa, Creighton lost. The Bluejays dropped a 63-52 decision at Kansas.
Creighton is in the middle of a four-game road trip that started in Lawrence, KS. After Friday’s contest, Creighton will open conference play at Northern Iowa (Dec. 29) and Bradley (Dec. 31). In fact, eight of the Bluejays’ first 11 games will be played away from Omaha.
The Bluejays are led by juniors Angie Janis and Kristi Woodard. Janis ranks first in team scoring (18.8) and rebounding (8.4). Woodard ranks second in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (5.9).
Janis recorded her third-straight double-double in Creighton’s 69-59 loss to Kansas State Monday. The Omaha, NE, native posted game highs in points (22) and rebounds (11). Kansas State won by 10 despite being out-rebounded 39-27. The senior was limited to only five points on 1-7 shooting from the field and 3-4 from the foul line at Kansas.
Both Ally Thrall and Woodard played all 40 minutes in Creighton’s last two games.
The Bluejays are off to their slowest start since starting the 1996-97 season, 0-7.
Creighton is coached by Jim Flanery (69-34, .670), who is in his fourth year as a head coach, all with the Bluejays.
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks No. 75, while Creighton ranks 183rd in the RPI ratings published on Dec. 22 on www.collegerpi.com. The Hawkeyes also rank 46th in strength of schedule, while the Bluejays rank 68th.
All-Time Series Record ? Friday will be the 11th meeting between Iowa and Creighton, with the series even 5-5. The Hawkeyes and Bluejays met twice last year, with Iowa winning both contests. Iowa outlasted Creighton 91-82 in overtime in Omaha during the regular season and defeated the Bluejays 67-52 in Iowa City in the first round of the WNIT. The series is also tied 3-3 in games played at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Common Opponents ? Iowa and Creighton share three common opponents: Northwestern, Drake and Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes defeated Drake (92-72) and Northern Iowa (65-54) and will play Northwestern twice during Big Ten regular season play. The Bluejays lost at Northwestern (93-77) and wil play both Northern Iowa and Drake twice during league regular season play.
Last Meeting ? Iowa overcame a 15-point second half deficit to surge past Creighton 91-82 in overtime at Creighton on Dec. 10, 2004.
The home team took its largest lead of the game (15 points) at the 13:19 mark of the second half. Iowa responded by going on a 28-12 run over the next nine minutes to take a 71-70 lead.
Leading the charge for the Hawkeyes was Crystal Smith, who scored seven of her team-high 23 points during the run. Iowa also got six points from Krista VandeVenter and four points.
The lead changed hands three times and there were three ties in the final four minutes. The last tie came after Smith gave Iowa a 77-75 lead on a lay-up with 41 seconds to play. Creighton’s Laura Spanheimer made a pair of free throws with 25 ticks left to play to send the game into overtime.
Supercharged by their comeback, the Hawkeyes out-scored Creighton 11-5 in the first three minutes of overtime thanks to six points by Johanna Solverson.
Iowa scored 58 of its 91 points in the paint, where it claimed a 42-37 edge on the glass thanks to huge nights by VandeVenter and Jamie Cavey, who grabbed a career-high 14 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Smith was one of four Hawkeyes to score in double-figures. Cavey added 20, VandeVenter a career-high 19, and Solverson 13 for the victors, who shot a blistering 70 percent from the field in the second half and 83 percent in overtime.
Last Time Out ? Hawkeye senior Crystal Smith poured in a game-high 22 points, while sophomore Krista VandeVenter grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds as the Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team downed the Northern Iowa Panthers for the 10th-straight time 65-54 at the UNI Dome.
Iowa had a nine-point halftime cushion, but Northern Iowa came out of the locker room on fire. The Panthers scored the first nine points of the second stanza to even the contest at 31 with 15:53 remaining. The Hawkeyes answered with a 12-4 run the next four minutes to rebuild their lead back to eight (43-35) with 11:20 left.
Northern Iowa continued to fight back and trimmed the Hawkeye advantage to six with 2:15 remaining, but back-to-back triples by Hawkeyes Tiffany Reedy and Abby Emmert helped seal Iowa’s second-straight win over a Missouri Valley Conference opponent. Iowa converted 4-6 from the foul line the final minute to secure the 11-point victory.
Smith scored 13 of her 22 points in the first half, including netting Iowa’s final first half points. The native of Haughton, LA, attempted and made Iowa’s first 3-pointer of the game at the 15:40 mark of the second half to halt a 9-0 Northern Iowa scoring run. Smith has tallied 20 points or more five times already this season.
Northern Iowa limited Hawkeye starters Krista VandeVenter and Stacy Schlapkohl to a combined three points on 0-8 shooting from the field and 3-5 from the foul line. However, Iowa’s bench stepped up to fill the scoring void as the Hawkeye reserves out-scored the Panthers 24-8. Freshman Megan Skouby scored eight, while freshman Wendy Ausdemore and sophomore Abby Emmert each added seven.
Senior Tiffany Reedy contributed seven of her 10 points in the second half and also corralled five rebounds.
Northern Iowa was led by senior Cassie Hager, who scored 17 points and blocked a game-high six shots. Iowa’s stifling 2-3 zone defense made it difficult for the Panthers to have open looks. Northern Iowa converted only 31.1 percent (19-61) from the field, including only 17.2 percent (5-29) from behind the arc.
Triple Threat ? Iowa’s post players combined for 47 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday’s victory over Drake. The trio of Megan Skouby, Krista VandeVenter and Stacy Schlapkohl shot at a 77.8 percent (21-27) from the field and 83.3 percent (5-6) from the foul line.
Skouby netted a career-high 19 points in 9-11 shooting from the field (.818) and 1-2 from the free throw line. Skouby becomes the first Hawkeye to shoot 80 percent or better from the floor (min. 10 attempts), since Johanna Solverson converted 84.6 percent (11-13) from the field vs. Western Illinois on Dec. 21, 2004.
VandeVenter tallied 10 of her 14 points in the first half. The sophomore was 6-8 from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe. VandeVenter also collected seven rebounds, four assists and matched a career-high with four steals.
Schlapkohl scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half. The native of Durant, IA, also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.
Kristi Smith Makes First Career Start ? Freshman Kristi Smith started her first career game Sunday vs. Drake. Smith directed the Hawkeye offense for 25 minutes, collecting four points, four assists and two rebounds.
In her second start at Northern Iowa, Smith netted six points and dished two assists in 22 minutes.
Perfection ? Iowa has two players who have yet to miss a free throw. Sophomore Abby Emmert is a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe, while freshman Wendy Ausdemore has made all six of her attempts.
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.
Nyenhuis scored her first collegiate points when she netted six points on 2-3 shooting from behind the arc in Iowa’s 20-point triumph over Drake Sunday.
Cleaning the Glass ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.7) and fourth in defensive rebounding (5.8). The native of Osseo, MN, has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding six times this season. She has pulled down double digit rebounds four times this year, including two of the last three contests.
VandeVenter shattered Iowa’s single season freshmen rebounding record last year, pulling down 252 boards (7.6 rpg).
Skouby Quicky Climbing Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has already rejected 17 shots. She is only six blocks from claiming second place on Iowa’s freshman single season blocking list. Skouby is currently tied with Johanna Solverson for fourth.
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class has averaged 24.7 ppg in its first ten contests. Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore lead the freshmen offensive attack. Skouby ranks third in team scoring (9.2) and fourth in rebounding (3.7), Smith ranks sixth in scoring (6.7) and fourth in assists (24), while Ausdemore ranks seventh in scoring (5.7). VanderPol was Iowa’s first power forward off the bench at Northern Iowa and matched career highs in rebounds (4) and assists (1) and also rejected her first career shot.
Start-to-Finish ? Iowa has led games start-to-finish four times this season (Rider, UW-Green Bay, Vermont and Drake).
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 on Dec. 4. The 216-game streak spanned seven seasons and started on March 13, 1998.
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.
Reedy Set Go ? Senior Tiffany Reedy played in her 100th career game vs. Vermont on Dec. 3. The native of Dysart, IA, has had a great start to the 2005-06 campaign, averaging 7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg and ranking third 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 13 treys and is shooting at a 40.6 percent clip from behind the arc, good enough to rank eighth in the Big Ten.
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.
Century Club ? Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder reached another milestone on Dec. 3, 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 102-63 (.618) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 18th nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Dec. 19.
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks first in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in five of its first ten games. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 when scoring 80 points or more.
Iowa Quick Hitters ? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.252). Michigan State ranks second, with its opponents shooting .286 from behind the arc.
Iowa is 6-1 when leading at the half, 5-1 when limiting opponents to 59 points or less, 6-1 when having a higher field goal percentage and 5-0 when out-rebounding opponents.
Iowa was whistled for a season-low 13 fouls and matched a season-low in 3-point field goal attempts (6) at Northern Iowa.
Iowa out-scored Northern Iowa 8-0 in fast break points — all scored in the first half.
Northern Iowa’s Cassie Hager blocked six shots against Iowa Wednesday becoming the first Hawkeye opponent player to reject five shots or more since Western Illinois’ Zane Teilane blocked seven exactly a year to the date (Dec. 21, 2004).
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten scoring (75.8), assists (18.1), field goal percentage (.475), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.252) and 3-point field goal percentage (.397), second in blocks (4.7) and third in 3-point field goals made (5.2).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in league scoring (20.9), fourth in 3-point field goals made (2.0), fifth in steals (2.3) and 13th in free throw percentage (.779). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks first in field goal percentage (.625) and second in blocked shots (1.7). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.7) and ninth in steals (1.8), while sophomore Stacy Schlapkohl ranks ninth in field goal percentage (.536).
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).
Smith Nominated For Senior CLASS Award ? Seniors Crystal Smith is one of 30 seniors from Division I basketball programs around the nation who have been named as candidates for the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award. The award, now in its fifth year, is presented annually to the nation’s senior player-of-the-year. CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college players leaving college early to turn professional. Smith joins Michigan State’s Liz Shimek and Lindsay Bowen as the only three Big Ten student-athletes nominated. Sportscaster Dick Enberg, who initiated the idea for the award and now serves as honorary Chairman, will announce the winner during the CBS telecast of the NCAA Men’s Final Four in April.
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 (166) is only two steals from equaling Tia Jackson (168) for ninth on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (903) is also only one point from matching Sue Beckwith (904) for 23rd in career scoring at Iowa.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa State leads the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 9-4. Iowa State has recorded victories in women’s soccer (2-1), football (23-3), women’s basketball (77-61) and men’s basketball (72-60). Iowa’s two wins came in wrestling (20-15) and women’s swimming and diving (156-144).
On the Horizon ? Iowa opens Big Ten Conference play next Thursday at Indiana. Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST). The Hawkeyes’ next home contest will be on New Year’s Day against Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.