Jan. 15, 2006
Evanston, IL – – Iowa built a 21-point first-half lead and cruised to an 80-48 triumph over Northwestern today at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The win was Iowa’s largest conference win since recording a 40-point win over Northwestern on Jan. 25, 2001 in Evanston.
Today’s victory was Iowa’s 10-straight over the Wildcats, all under Head Coach Lisa Bluder.
Freshman Megan Skouby and senior Crystal Smith were Iowa’s offensive catalysts today. Skouby netted a game-high 18 points (8-16 FG, 2-2 FT), marking the 11th time this year she has scored double figures. The Big Ten’s leading freshman scorer, has tallied double digits four-straight contests and five of Iowa’s six league games. Smith added 13 points in only 18 minutes of action.
Senior Tiffany Reedy had a solid all-around game, converting 3-4 from 3-point range for nine points and collecting seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Iowa had a better 3-point shooting percentage (.692, 9-13) than Northwestern’s free throw percentage (.615, 8-13). Reedy and freshman Lindsey Nyenhuis drained three triples each, Smith nailed two, while sophomore Abby Emmert made one.
Leading 16-7, Iowa went on a 12-0 run to expand its advantage to 28-7. Iowa (11-6, 4-2) converted 10 of its first 13 field goal attempts, while Northwestern made only three of its first 19. The Hawkeyes made only two field goals the last nine minutes of the first stanza. Iowa led by 16 at the half (36-20).
Northwestern (4-12, 0-6) was led by reserve forward Lauren Roberts and Nadia Bibbs. Roberts tallied a team-high 10 points, while Bibbs recorded a career-high eight rebounds.
Eleven of Iowa’s 12 players that played scored, including 33 points from the Hawkeye bench.
The Hawkeyes outrebounded the Wildcats by 11 (49-38) and collected 24 assists to Northwestern’s 14.
Iowa remains on the road for its next contest when it travels to Madison, WI, to face Wisconsin (6-11, 1-5) on Thursday. The Badgers dropped an 84-54 decision at home to Illinois today. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. inside the Kohl Center. Thursday’s game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.