Jan. 19, 2006
Madison, WI – – Iowa converted 11 of its last 12 free throws in the final minutes as the Hawkeyes held off a surging Wisconsin Badger squad 68-59 Thursday night at the Kohl Center. Freshman Megan Skouby poured in a game-high 23 points, while seniors Tiffany Reedy and Crystal Smith each contributed 15 points.
Tonight’s win was Iowa’s fourth-straight in the Kohl Center. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes have now won six of the last seven overall meetings between the two teams.
Iowa (12-6, 5-2) was forced to make its foul shots down the stretch as Wisconsin held the Hawkeyes to only one field goal the last 7:18. The Badgers cut the Iowa advantage to four (61-57) with 57 seconds remaining, but the Hawkeyes made five of their last six free throws en route to victory.
Iowa scored more points at the free throw line (16) than from the field (14) in the second period. The Hawkeyes finished the game shooting 78.6 percent (22-28) from the charity stripe, while Wisconsin shot a dismal 28.6 percent (4-14) from the foul line.
In addition to scoring 15 points, Smith equaled a career high with six steals. Reedy’s 15 points was a season best.
Wisconsin (6-12, 1-6) dominated Iowa on the glass, out-rebounding the Hawkeyes by 12 (43-31). Hawkeye sophomore Krista VandeVenter pulled down 13 of their 31 boards.
Reedy has a nice first half, shooting 4-4 from the field, including 1-1 from 3-point range, and 1-2 from the foul line for 10 points. Skouby netted 13 first-half points, while Smith added seven points for the Hawkeyes.
The Hawkeye defense was stifling, forcing 14-Wisconsin first-half turnovers, with Iowa converting those miscues into 18 points. Wisconsin recorded 19 miscues for the game.
The Badgers were led by Jolene Anderson and Ashley Josephson. Anderson tallied a team-high 20 points, while Josephson registered 10.
Iowa returns to action Sunday when it entertains 12th-ranked Minnesota (12-4, 5-1). Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.