Jan. 5, 2006
ANN ARBOR, MI — Four Hawkeye starters scored in double figures as the Iowa Hawkeyes won its sixth-straight game over Michigan Thursday night 77-63 inside Crisler Arena.
Freshman Megan Skouby had a career night as the 6-6 center posted career bests in points (20), rebounds (8) and blocks (5). Krista VandeVenter, Tiffany Reedy and Crystal Smith each contributed 13 points en route to victory. In addition to her 13 points, Smith collected seven rebounds, four steals and a career-high nine assists.
Iowa’s frontcourt duo of Megan Skouby (7) and Krista VandeVenter (7) scored 15 of Iowa’s 17 points as the Hawkeyes jumped out to a 17-10 advantage in the first eight minutes and would never look back.
The Hawkeyes built their lead to 10 by half (42-32), but Michigan opened the second period on a 10-3 run to trim Iowa’s advanatge to three (45-42) with 16:46 left. Iowa’s lead swelled back to nine (53-44) after an 8-2 run with 11:20 remaining. The Wolverines tried to mount one last comeback in the final minutes, but Iowa drained three 3-pointers in the final three minutes to secure the victory.
Iowa’s aggressive play generated 11 more free throw attempts than Michigan tonight. The Hawkeyes made 16-20 (.800) from the foul line, while the Wolverines only made nine trips to the charity stripe – making eight (.889).
Iowa (9-5, 2-1) only attempted two triples in the first half – missing both, but found its shooting touch in the second stanza, sinking 5-9.
Michigan (6-9, 0-3) were led by reserves Ta’Shia Walker and Katie Dierdorf. Walker netted a game-high 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Dierdorf added 10 points and four rebounds.
Through 14 games, Iowa has not allowed an opponent to shoot 50 percent or better from the field or 40 percent or better from 3-point range. Tonight, Iowa’s defense held the Wolverines to 37.9 percent (25-66) from the field and 35.7 percent (5-14) from behind the arc. Iowa converted 49.1 percent (28-57) of its field goals, including 45.5 percent (5-11) from 3-point range.
Iowa, who has won five of its last six, returns to action Monday when the Hawkeyes welcome 13th-ranked Michigan State. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.