Hawkeyes Open Big Ten Play at Indiana

Dec. 28, 2005

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The Setting ? Iowa (7-4, 0-0) opens its Big Ten schedule at Indiana (6-5, 0-0) Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) at Assembly Hall (17,357). The Hawkeyes are 4-1 in conference openers under Head Coach Lisa Bluder.

Thursday’s game features two of the Big Ten’s premiere scorers in Iowa’s Crystal Smith (20.2 ppg) and Indiana’s Cyndi Valentin (18.4 ppg). Both have scored 20 points or more five times this season.

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 boasts a 6-2 record in games played on December 29, winning its last six.

Iowa History ? Iowa has played 890 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 544-346 (.611). That includes a 267-125 (.681) mark in Big Ten games and a 243-59 (.805) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Third Hawkeye Suffers ACL Injury ? For the third time in six months, Iowa had a starter suffer a season-ending ACL injury. Sophomore center Stacy Schlapkohl sustained an ACL injury in the first half of Iowa’s 74-64 triumph over Creighton last Friday. Schlapkohl started Iowa’s first 11 contests, ranking fifth in team scoring (6.9) and third in rebounding (3.8) in 21.1 minutes per game. She scored double figures four times, including a season-high 14 vs. Drake on December 18.

Schlapkohl joins small forward Johanna Solverson and point guard Lindsay Richards as Hawkeyes who have suffered season-ending ACL injuries to their right knee.

Steady Improvement ? Senior Crystal Smith averaged 1.1 points per game in 21 games her freshman year, followed by a 3.9 scoring average in 29 contests her sophomore season and 16.8 ppg her junior year. Smith currently averages 20.2 ppg through 11 games in 2005-06. The native of Haughton, LA, averaged 20.0 ppg, 3.0 apg and 2.0 rpg in two games against Indiana last year.

Scouting Indiana ? Indiana has won three of its last four games entering Thursday’s home contest against the Hawkeyes. The Hoosiers started the season with four-straight home games and then finished their non-conference schedule with six-of-seven away from Assembly Hall. Indiana is 2-3 in home games this year.

The Hoosiers are led by seniors Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth. Valentin ranks third in Big Ten scoring (18.4) and seventh in assists (3.73). DeMuth ranks second in team scoring (14.4) and steals (1.18) and first in rebounding (7.7). Indiana has only two serious 3-point threats, Nikki Smith (22-48, .458) and Valentin (13-42, .310), while the rest of the team has shot a combined 9-42 (.214). The Hoosiers boast a +6.4 rebounding margin, which ranks fourth in the league. Indiana also ranks second in free throw shooting (.758), but ranks last in turnover margin (-4.0), steals (6.27) and assists (11.18).

Indiana is coached by Sharon Versyp (104-56, .650), who is in his sixth year as a head coach and her first with the Hoosiers (6-5, .545). Versyp became Indiana’s seventh head coach after coaching five years at Maine. She is a native of Mishawaka, IN, and graduated from Purdue University in 1988.

RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks No. 79, while Indiana ranks 51st in the RPI ratings published on Dec. 27 on www.collegerpi.com. The Hawkeyes also rank 83rd in strength of schedule, while the Hoosiers rank 18th. All four Iowa losses came to opponents with a current RPI of 66 or better.

All-Time Series Record ? Thursday will be the 47th meeting between Iowa and Indiana. The Hawkeyes hold a commanding 35-12 advantage in the series. Iowa has won 16 of the last 19 overall meetings. Iowa is 13-8 in games played in Bloomington, including winning three of the last four at Assembly Hall.

The Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers (62-51) in last season’s conference opener at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa also downed Indiana (56-53) in the regular season finale at Assembly Hall.

Last Meeting ? In their final Big Ten regular season game, the Hawkeyes defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 56-53. Iowa used a clutch 9-0 run late in the second half to finish 19-8 overall. Additionally, for the first time in school history the Hawkeyes finish league play with an even 8-8 record.

Indiana went on a 10-2 run late in the first half to give them a 24-22 lead. The Hawkeyes responded with a Jamie Cavey layup and a 3-pointer by Jenna Armstrong with four seconds left in the half. Iowa led 27-24 at halftime.

In the second stanza, Crystal Smith and Tiffany Reedy combined to score 11 points in 6:50 to give Iowa a 39-35 lead. After an Indiana layup at the 5:53 mark, Smith nailed a triple from the deep corner to put the Hawkeyes up 44-42 and they never looked back.

Jamie Cavey recorded her fifth double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Cavey also added two assists, two blocks and two steals. Smith also scored 19 points and had four assists.

Iowa out-scored the Hoosiers 8-0 at the charity stripe. The Hawkeyes attempted 12 more free throws than Indiana (13-1). In fact, the one free throw attempt by Indiana is an Iowa school record for fewest free throw attempts by an opponent in a single game.

Indiana was led by Jamie Gathing and Jamey Chapman. Gathing tallied 13 points, while Chapman posted a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Hawkeyes made two less field goals than the Hoosiers, but still came away with the win. The last time an opponent made more field goals than Iowa and still lost was February 15, 2004, also at Indiana (28-26).

Last Time Out ? Iowa freshman Megan Skouby scored a career-high 22 points, while sophomore Krista VandeVenter added 18 points and a career-high six steals en route to a 74-64 victory over Creighton last Friday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win was Iowa’s third straight over the Bluejays and the third straight over a Missouri Valley Conference opponent.

After Creighton jumped out to an early 7-1 lead to start the game Skouby drilled five straight jumpers to tie the contest at 13-13. Iowa took its first lead with 8:29 left in the first half after a layup from freshman Wendy Ausdemore, but the Bluejays regained the lead after a Kristi Woodard bucket and did not trail the rest of the half.

Creighton out-rebounded the Hawkeyes 19-16 in the first half and scored 11 second chance points off nine offensive rebounds.

Iowa trimmed the Creighton lead to just two at the start the second half but Ally Thrall sank a 3-pointer with 17:18 left to increase the Bluejay lead to seven. The Hawkeyes responded with a 7-0 run to regain a 44-43 lead with 13:29 left.

After Creighton’s Angie Janis hit a jumper to put the Bluejays up by three, VandeVenter swiped one of her six steals for a layup to give Iowa a 50-49 lead with 9:48 left and the Hawkeyes never relinquished the lead. A 3-pointer by senior Tiffany Reedy gave Iowa a 54-49 lead and a 3-point play by freshman Nicole VanderPol with 5:59 left gave the Hawkeyes a comfortable advantage. Four free throws by Ausdemore down the stretch sealed the win for Iowa. Ausdemore is now a perfect 12-12 from the foul line this year.

Starting center Stacy Schlapkohl suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the first half. The Iowa post players responded very well in Schlapkohl’s absence, outscoring Creighton 36-22 in the paint. Skouby scored 12 of her 22 points in the first half, while VandeVenter scored 16 of her 18 points in the second period.

For the second game in a row Iowa’s bench played a big part in the win, outscoring Creighton 36-19.

Creighton was able to gain an advantage on the boards and out-rebounded Iowa 36-30, including 16 offensive rebounds. Angie Janis led Creighton with 19 points, while Kristi Woodard grabbed nine rebounds.

Crystal Smith had 13 points for Iowa, which marked the first time since the season opener vs. UW-Milwaukee she did not lead the team in scoring.

VandeVenter Feasts on Creighton ? There’s something about playing Creighton that brings the best out of sophomore Krista VandeVenter. Last season VandeVenter recorded her first career double, posting career highs in points (19), field goals made (8) and attempted (11) and rebounds (14). The native of Osseo, MN feasted on the Bluejays again last Friday. VandeVenter was one point from equaling a career high in scoring, netting 18 points thanks to new career bests in field goals made (9) and attempts (14). She also collected a career-high six steals, besting her previous best of four set last year at Minnesota.

DE-FENSE! ? Iowa’s perimeter defense has been stellar through 11 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.253). Last season Iowa ranked 10th in the league in 3-point field goal defense (.361).

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.

Underclassmen Start For Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s probable starting lineup for the Hawkeyes’ conference opener at Indiana includes two freshmen (Kristi Smith and Megan Skouby) and one sophomore (Krista VandeVenter).

VandeVenter has started all 44 games as a Hawkeye, including all 11 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (9.5) and first in rebounding (8.7).

Smith has started the last three games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO ranks sixth in team scoring (6.2) and fourth in assists (27).

Skouby will start her first contest Thursday at Indiana. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (10.4), first in blocks (18) and field goal percentage (.622) and fourth in rebounding (3.7).

Iowa is one of three Big Ten teams with two or more freshmen starters. Michigan starts three, while Iowa and Penn State start two.

Ausdemore Perfect ? Freshman Wendy Ausdemore has started the season making her first 12 free throw attempts. Ausdemore was a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe entering the Creighton game and then sank all six of her free throws against the Bluejays.

Cleaning the Glass ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.7) and fourth in defensive rebounding (5.82). The native of Osseo, MN, has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding seven times this season. She has pulled down double digit rebounds four times this year, including two of the last four contests.

VandeVenter shattered Iowa’s single season freshmen rebounding record last year, pulling down 252 boards (7.6 rpg).

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 on Dec. 18.

Number of the Week — 168 ? Senior Crystal Smith has exactly 168 career and steals through 94 games.

Skouby Quickly Climbing Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has already rejected 18 shots. She is only five blocks from claiming second place on Iowa’s freshman single season blocking list. Skouby is currently tied with Toni Foster for third.

Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class averaged 25.5 ppg in non-conference action. Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore lead the freshmen offensive attack. Skouby ranks second in team scoring (10.4) and fourth in rebounding (3.7), Smith ranks sixth in scoring (6.2) and fourth in assists (27), while Ausdemore ranks seventh in scoring (5.9). VanderPol was Iowa’s first power forward off the bench at Northern Iowa and Drake and matched career highs in rebounds (4) and assists (1) and also rejected her first career shot vs. the Bulldogs. Her minutes will now increase due to the loss of center Stacy Schlapkohl.

Five Spot ? Crystal Smith, who was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 28, broke or tied five school records 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.

Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 18th nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Dec. 19.

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.

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 7.3 ppg, 4.3 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 14 treys and is shooting at a 42.4 percent clip from behind the arc, good enough to rank fifth 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 103-63 (.618) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.

High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks second in Big Ten scoring offense, has scored 80 points or more in five of its first 11 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 (.253). Michigan State ranks second, with its opponents shooting .284 from behind the arc.

Iowa is 6-1 when leading at the half, 5-1 when limiting opponents to 59 points or less, 7-1 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 and Creighton a combined 22-0 in fast break points, including 14-0 against the Bluejays.

Northern Iowa’s Cassie Hager blocked six shots against Iowa 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 field goal percentage (.480), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.253) and 3-point field goal percentage (.394), second in scoring offense (75.6), assists (18.0) and third in blocks (4.45).

Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in league scoring (20.2), seventh in 3-point field goals made (1.91), fifth in steals (2.27) and 13th in free throw percentage (.792). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks second in field goal percentage (.622) and third in blocked shots (1.64). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.7) and seventh in steals (2.18).

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 (168) is nine steals from equaling Nadine Domond (177) and Lisa Anderson (177) for seventh on Iowa’s career steals chart. Smith (916) is also 20 points from matching Randi Peterson (936) for 22nd in career scoring at Iowa.

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.

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.

ACL Trio ? In a span of six months, Iowa had three players who suffered ACL injuries to their right knees. Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and Stacy Schlapkohl all suffered season-ending injuries. Richards sustained her injury in June, followed by Solverson (July) and Schlapkohl (December).

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 last 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.

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.

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.

“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.

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. It will mark Iowa’s first-ever New Year’s Day game.