Jan. 26, 2006
STATE COLLEGE, PA – – Amanda Brown and Kam Gissendanner each netted 24 points to propel Penn State to a 71-61 triumph over Iowa tonight at the Bryce Jordan Center. The win was the Lady Lions’ fifth-straight over the Hawkeyes.
The loss is Iowa’s second-straight defeat and also snapped a three-game road winning streak in the Big Ten.
A trio of Hawkeyes scored double figures tonight: Crystal Smith (16), Megan Skouby (12) and Wendy Ausdemore (12). Skouby also led Iowa with five rebounds.
Penn State (9-10, 3-5) was able to build a double digit lead, and maintain that advantage, for most of the contest due to strong rebounding and creating high percentage shots through Iowa’s 2-3 zone. The Lady Lions shot a blistering 56 percent (29-52) from the field. Iowa shot 43 percent (23-54) from the field for the contest.
In addition to scoring a game-high 24 points, Brown corralled a game-high 11 boards to record her third double-double of the season and sixth of her career.
“I think Penn State did a great job defensively tonight, which made it difficult for us to get into our offense,” said Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “Penn State’s zone really hurt us. We need to learn to play better defense and box out. We’re not playing like we did when we beat Michigan State a couple weeks ago. We have a tough week ahead of us with conference-leader Purdue coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena next week.”
Iowa (12-8, 5-4) had a 12-10 lead at the 13:09 mark of the first half, but then its offense stalled, scoring only one basket the next 7:09. Penn State took advantage of Iowa’s anemic offense, going on a 12-2 run to claim a 22-14 advantage. Lindsey Nyenhuis drained a 3-pointer from the baseline at the 6:00 mark to halt the scoring drought.
Penn State’s lead swelled to 11 by halftime as the Lady Lions concluded the first period on a 12-5 run. Penn State dominated Iowa on the boards in the first stanza, out-rebounding the Hawkeyes by 10 (22-12). The Lady Lions out-rebounded Iowa by eight (33-25) for the game. The 25 rebounds is a season-low for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa’s leading rebounder Krista VandeVenter, who entered the game averaging 8.6 rebounds, was only able to pull down a season-low three rebounds tonight. She did contribute eight points.
In addition to the four knee injuries that have sidelined Stacy Schlapkohl, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and Nicole VanderPol, the Hawkeyes were even more short-handed tonight. Sophomore Jenee Graham did not dress as she suffered a sprained ankle in practice Monday. It is hopeful she will return to practice early next week.
Iowa returns to action one week from tonight when the Hawkeyes host nationally-ranked Purdue Thursday, February 2. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.