Jan. 31, 2006
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The Setting ? Iowa (12-8, 5-4) will look to snap a two-game losing skid Thursday as Big Ten-leading and eighth-ranked Purdue (17-2, 9-0) visits Iowa City for the only regular season meeting between the two teams. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500). Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youths and University students are admitted free with student I.D.
Thursday will be Iowa’s 900th game in its 32-year history and is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The Boilermakers have won seven-straight games over the Hawkeyes.
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 and WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids.
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 the Tube ? Thursday’s contest will be televised live in Eastern Iowa on KCRG-TV9 (local ABC affiliate). John Campbell, Amy Herrig and Scott Saville will call the action.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 899 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 549-350 (.611). That includes a 272-129 (.678) mark in Big Ten games and a 245-61 (.801) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Gold on the Road ? Iowa will wear its gold uniforms in all road games this year after it had its black uniforms shrunk at the Odwalla Classic, Nov. 25-26. After the Hawkeyes played nationally-ranked Oklahoma on Nov. 25, the San Francisco Athletic Department, who hosted the tournament, accidentally overheated Iowa’s road uniforms while washing the uniforms for the Iowa’s consolation game vs. Rider.
Fifth Hawkeye Suffers Knee Injury ? Head Coach Lisa Bluder announced on Jan. 16 that freshman small forward Nicole VanderPol will be sidelined 3-6 weeks after suffering a partial tear to her medial collateral ligament in her left knee during the second half of Sunday’s 80-48 victory at Northwestern.
The injury is the fifth knee setback to an Iowa women’s basketball player in the last seven months. Point guard Lindsay Richards (June), small forward Johanna Solverson (July) and center Stacy Schlapkohl (December) all suffered season-ending ACL injuries to their right knee. Additionally, small forward Jenee Graham (September) had surgery to repair meniscus damage to her left knee, and returned by the start of the season.
“Unfortunately Nicole has suffered a partial tear in her ligament,” said Bluder. “We are thankful that it is only a partial tear and she’ll be back without requiring surgery. Again, we’ll have to make some adjustments to our lineup, but we hope to have Nicole back before the end of the season.”
VanderPol averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 16 games off the bench for the Hawkeyes. She was shooting 55.6 percent (15-27) from the field and 73.7 percent (14-19) from the foul line before sustaining the knee injury.
Crystal Smith Nets Career Point No. 1,000 ? Crystal Smith became the 22nd Iowa player to amass 1,000 career points when the senior netted 26 points vs. No. 8 Ohio State on Jan. 12 to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau. Smith currently ranks 19th in Hawkeye career scoring (1,069), 931 of which came the last 53 games (17.6 ppg). She also ranks sixth in career 3-pointers (104) and steals (191). Smith has scored double figures 31-straight games, dating back to last year, which ranks second in the league behind Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (38).
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 18.8 ppg through 20 games in her senior campaign. Smith’s scoring average ranks second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally. She has led Iowa in scoring 13 times this season.
Scouting No. 8 Purdue ? Purdue travels to Iowa riding a 13-game winning streak, including nine straight in Big Ten play. The eighth-rated team in the nation won two of its league games in overtime; on the road at Indiana (61-56) and Minnesota (60-56). Four of Purdue’s nine conference victories have come by five points or less. The Boilermakers are fresh-off home victories over Michigan State (73-53) and Northwestern (71-63).
The Boilermakers rank second in Big Ten scoring defense, allowing only 54.7 points per game. Purdue has not allowed more than 65 points in a single game this season. Northwestern’s 63 points Sunday is a Purdue opponent’s high-mark in conference play.
Junior Katie Gearlds and senior Aya Traore lead the Boilermakers, averaging 14.5 points and 12.8 points, respectively. Both also average 4.2 rebounds per contest. Gearlds also ranks first in Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (2.37). Sophomore Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton is the Boilermakers’ top rebounder, pulling down 5.5 boards per game.
Purdue ranks first in Big Ten blocks (5.0) and steals (11.26) and second in scoring defense (54.7), rebounds allowed (33.0) and turnover margin (+5.32).
The Boilermakers are coached by Kristy Curry, who’s in her seventh (170-46, .787) season as a head coach, all at Purdue. Curry is 9-3 against the Hawkeyes.
All-Time Series Record ? Thursday will be the 49th meeting between Iowa and Purdue, with the Boilermakers leading the series 26-22. Iowa holds a 12-8 advantage in games played in Iowa City. Iowa had a 22-19 series lead over Purdue, but since 2002 the Boilermakers have won seven-straight over the Hawkeyes, including two-straight in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Penn State (.621) and Purdue (.541) are the only league teams to have a winning percentage above .500 against the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s last victory over Purdue (90-75) came on Jan. 6, 2002 in Iowa City.
Iowa and Purdue Fast Breaks ? The last time Purdue played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Feb. 10, 2004), the Boilermakers put up 90 points and had two players post 30 points or more. Katie Gearlds tallied 32 points, while Shereka Wright netted a game-high 34. Gearlds’ 32 points is her current career high.
The last time the Hawkeyes recorded two wins against top-ten teams in the same season was Head Coach Lisa Bluder’s first season on the Hawkeye sidelines (2000-01). Iowa picked up two victories over Purdue that year, first when it was ranked fifth (96-87 at Iowa City) and second when the Boilermakers were ranked seventh (75-70 at Grand Rapids).
Iowa has lost its last two games. The previous two times it had a two-game losing skid this season, the Hawkeyes won the third contest.
Iowa boasts a 7-2 mark when collecting 10 or more steals this season. The Hawkeyes rank fifth (9.53) in Big Ten steals in overall games. In conference games only, Crystal Smith and teammate Krista VandeVenter rank first in steals (2.75).
Purdue boasts the Big Ten’s best turnover margin in conference games only (+5.78). Iowa is a distant second (+2.33) in that statistical category.
Iowa is the only Big Ten team to have two players rank in the top six in scoring in league games only. Crystal Smith ranks fourth (17.0), while Megan Skouby ranks sixth (16.3).
RPI Ratings ? Iowa ranks 67th, while Purdue ranks 13th in the RPI ratings published on Jan. 30 on www.collegerpi.com. The Hawkeyes also rank 45th in strength of schedule, while the Boilermakers rank 58th. All eight Iowa losses came to opponents with a current RPI of 86 or better, including four in the top 25.
On This Date ? Iowa is 6-4 in games played on Groundhog Day, including winning five of the last six. The Hawkeyes are 1-0 vs. Purdue on Feb. 2.
In the Rankings ? Iowa ranks 18th nationally in field goal percentage, 12th in assists, 23rd in scoring, 23rd in fewest fouls per game and 26th in free throw percentage through games played Jan. 30. Crystal Smith ranks 31st in scoring, while Megan Skouby ranks 22nd in field goal percentage.
Last Meeting ? Iowa dropped its seventh straight game to Purdue and its seventh consecutive contest in West Lafayette, with a heart-breaking 79-75 loss in Mackey Arena.
The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw 26 lead changes and eight ties. Iowa took a three-point halftime advantage (34-31) into the lockerroom, holding Purdue to 39.4 percent (13-33) shooting from the field.
The Boilermakers were a different team in the second half. Purdue shot a blazing 73.1 percent (19-26) in the second stanza to lift the home team to victory. Iowa led 51-50 with 9:37 to play in the game and then Purdue scored on 10 of its next 11 possessions to take the lead and hold on down the stretch.
The Hawkeyes allowed 42 points in the paint and 21 points off turnovers. Iowa almost collected as many turnovers (22) as field goals made (23).
Jamie Cavey and Crystal Smith fueled Iowa’s offense. Cavey, who netted career point No. 1,000 in the first half, tallied a game-high 22 points (7-12 FG, 8-8 FT), while Smith amassed 21 points (7-17 FG, 5-6 FT).
Jenna Armstrong scored all 12 Iowa bench points on 4-6 shooting from beyond the arc, while Krista VandeVenter netted eight of her 12 points at the foul line in defeat.
Purdue’s Katie Geralds scored 17 of her team-high 19 points in the second half. She converted 6-9 from the field, including 3-3 from 3-point range and 2-2 from the charity stripe in the second stanza. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton also netted 19 points, while Aya Traore added a career-high 16 points.
Iowa converted 84.6 percent from the foul line (22-26) in the loss.
The 75 points Iowa scored were the most the Hawkeyes scored in Mackey Arena since 1987.
Last Time Out ? Amanda Brown and Kam Gissendanner each netted 24 points to propel Penn State to a 71-61 triumph over Iowa 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: Crystal Smith (16), Megan Skouby (12) and Wendy Ausdemore (12). Skouby also led Iowa with five rebounds.
Penn State 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.
Iowa 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. She did contribute eight points.
Iowa vs. Ranked Teams ? Iowa has recorded at least one victory over a ranked opponent in each of the six years under Coach Bluder. These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home: 75-64 over 9th-ranked Michigan State, 1/9/06On the Road: 78-67 over 18th-ranked Michigan State, 2/1/04Neutral Court: 54-47 over 21st-ranked Oklahoma, 11/27/04
DE-FENSE! ? Iowa’s perimeter defense has been stellar through 20 games. The Hawkeyes rank first in Big Ten 3-point field goal defense (.266). Last season Iowa ranked 10th in the league in 3-point field goal defense (.361).
Skouby Quickly Climbed Freshman Chart ? Megan Skouby has rejected 32 shots. She blocked a career-high five shots at Michigan on Jan. 5 to surpass Jennie Lillis for second place on Iowa’s freshman single season blocking list. Tangela Smith holds Iowa’s freshman mark with 73 blocks.
Skouby Leads Big Ten Freshmen ? Freshman Megan Skouby has raised her game to a new level since taking over the starting center position for injured sophomore Stacy Schlapkohl. Skouby, who is the Big Ten freshmen scoring leader, averages 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.56 blocks in conference play. The 6-6 standout ranks 14th in overall scoring (13.1) in the Big Ten, fourth in field goal percentage (.569) and blocks (1.6). She ranks sixth in conference scoring (16.3), fourth in blocks (1.56) and 18th in rebounding (5.3). Skouby has led Iowa in scoring six of the last ten contests, including three of the last four. She has posted 20 points or more four of the last seven games, including two of the last three.
Smith Ranks Second in Big Ten in Scoring ? Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in Big Ten scoring (18.8) and 23rd nationally; Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (18.9) ranks first. Smith has led Iowa in scoring in 13 of Iowa’s 20 contests.
Smith’s 46 points at Louisiana Tech are the most scored in a game by any player in the nation this season. North Carolina A&T’s Shareka Glover ranks second after netting 45 points vs. Morgan State on Jan. 23.
Vandy is Dandy ? Sophomore Krista VandeVenter is one of the top all-around threats in the Big Ten. VandeVenter, who has started every game (53) as a Hawkeye, ranks third in Big Ten rebounding (8.3), fifth in steals (2.35), 12th in blocks (0.80) and 30th in scoring (9.2). She has led the Hawkeyes in rebounding 14 times this season. The 6-2 forward has recorded two double-doubles (Iowa State and Minnesota) this season and five in her career.
Dishing the Rock ? Iowa ranks second in Big Ten assists, dishing the ball 17.35 times per game. Four Hawkeyes average 2.3 assists or better: Crystal Smith (3.15), Krista VandeVenter (3.10), Kristi Smith (2.85) and Abby Emmert (2.3).
Triple Play ? Tiffany Reedy made 19 triples in each of her first three seasons. The senior has drained four 3-pointers in the last three games to raise her total to 21 to establish a new single-season high. She is shooting at a 36.8 percent clip from behind the arc, good enough to rank seventh in the Big Ten.
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten 3-point field goal percentage (.365) after ranking fourth last year (.343). The Hawkeyes shot a Big Ten-season-best 69.2 percent (9-13) from behind the arc at Northwestern on Jan. 15.
Possessing the Rock ? The Hawkeyes struggled with turnovers in their first six games, collecting 21.0 miscues per game. However, Iowa has done a better job maintaining the ball in its last 14 contests, only averaging 15.4 turnovers. The Hawkeyes only turned the ball over 13 times vs. #8 Ohio State and a season-low 11 times at Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes rank second in turnover margin (+2.88) in conference games only. Iowa is 8-2 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponent.
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten turnover margin (+1.25) and second in assist/turnover ratio (1.01). Last year, the Hawkeyes ranked ninth in turnover margin (-1.55) and fifth in assist/turnover margin (0.87).
Cashing in at the Free Throw Line ? Freshman Wendy Ausdemore became the first Hawkeye to start the season making her first 19 free throw attempts. She has made 25-26 (.962) from the charity stripe this season.
Senior Crystal Smith made her first 18 attempts from the foul line in Iowa’s first three conference contests, including draining all 11 attempts vs. Illinois. Smith’s 11-11 performance tied a school and arena record for free throw percentage in a game. She is shooting a blistering 92.3 percent (48-52) from the free throw line in conference games, which ranks first.
Underclassmen Start for Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s starting lineup vs. Purdue includes two freshmen (Kristi Smith and Megan Skouby) and one sophomore (Krista VandeVenter). The last time Iowa had two freshmen starters was during the 1998-99 campaign (Lindsey Meder and Leah Magner).
VandeVenter started all 53 games as a Hawkeye, including all 20 this season. The power forward ranks third in team scoring (9.2) and first in rebounding (8.3). She has pulled down 418 rebounds and is 18 rebounds from equaling Virgie Dillingham (436) for 18th on Iowa’s career rebounding chart.
Smith started the last 12 games at point guard for Iowa. The native of Thornton, CO ranks fifth in team scoring (5.9) and second in assists (2.85).
Skouby will start her tenth contest Thursday. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (13.1), first in blocks (1.6) and field goal percentage (.569), and fourth in rebounding (4.5).
Iowa is one of two Big Ten teams with two or more freshmen starters. Michigan starts three, while Iowa starts two.
High Octane ? Iowa, who ranks first in Big Ten scoring offense (73.0), has scored 80 points or more in seven of its 20 games. The Hawkeyes are 6-1 when scoring 80 points or more.
Big Ten Rankings ? Iowa ranks first in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.266) and scoring offense (73.0), second in field goal percentage (.460), assists (17.35), assist/turnover ratio (+1.01) and third in turnover margin (1.25), 3-point field goal percentage (.365) and scoring margin (+8.6).
Senior Crystal Smith ranks second in league scoring (18.8),fourth in steals (2.4) and 3-point field goals made (1.9), eighth in free throw percentage (.847) and 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (.362). Freshman Megan Skouby ranks fourth in field goal percentage (.569) and blocks (1.6). Sophomore Krista VandeVenter ranks third in rebounding (8.3), second in defensive rebounds (6.05), fifth in steals (2.35) and 12th in blocks (0.8).
Home, Away Comparisons ? In ten home games, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 748-630 (+11.8 margin), shooting 48.2 percent from the field and holding opponents to a 41.5 shooting percentage. Iowa also has posted 183 assists to its opponents’ 116 and attempted 76 more free throws (218-142). Iowa converted 72.9 percent of its free throws at home, while 75.7 percent on the road. The Hawkeyes’ free throw percentage is 2.8 percent better on the road than at home.
In ten games away from Iowa City, Iowa has out-scored its opponents 712-659 (+5.3 margin). Iowa has a better 3-point shooting percentage on the road (39.7%) than at Carver-Hawkeye Arena (32.5%). Also, the Hawkeyes rebound better on the road than at home, averaging 37.5 away from Iowa City and 36.4 at home. Here are the home and away comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSHome .482 .325 .729 36.4 18.3 17.2 74.8Away .438 .397 .757 37.5 16.4 17.0 71.2
Wins, Losses Comparisons ? There are big differentials in the stats between Iowa’s wins and losses. The Hawkeyes shoot 11.3 percent better from the field, including 16.1 percent from 3-point range in their victories. Iowa also has made more free throws (188) than its opponents have attempted (151) in its 12 wins. The Hawkeyes hold opponents to only 24.9 percent shooting from behind the arc in their wins. Iowa averages only 14.4 assists in its eight defeats. Here are the wins and losses comparisons:
FG% 3-PT% FT% REB AST TO PTSWins .506 .444 .758 38.7 19.3 16.9 78.8Losses .393 .283 .714 34.4 14.4 17.4 64.4
Freshmen Step Up ? Iowa’s freshmen class (Megan Skouby, Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis) are averaging 28.5 ppg through 20 games. The fivesome tallied a freshmen season-best 43 points at Northwestern on Jan. 15.
Skouby ranks second in team scoring (13.1) and second in rebounding (4.5), while Ausdemore (6.2) rank fifth and Smith (5.9) sixth in scoring. Smith also ranks third in assists (2.85).
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 solid 2005-06 campaign, averaging 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg and ranking third on the team in steals with 18. Reedy collected 14 thefts and averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 33 contests last season.
Stayin’ Home ? Playing two home games, surrounded by two byes, have the Hawkeyes staying in Iowa City for 16 days. After playing at Penn State on Jan. 26, Iowa’s next road game will be at Ohio State on Feb. 12.
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.
Movin’ On Up ? Senior Crystal Smith (191) ranks sixth on Iowa’s career steals chart. She is 14 thefts from equaling Jolette Law (205) for fifth. Smith (1,069) is also 31 points from catching Shanda Berry (1,100) for 18th in career scoring at Iowa. Sophomore Krista VandeVenter (418) is 18 rebounds from matching Virgie Dillingham (436) for 18th in career rebounds.
Freebies! ? Iowa has attempted 96 more free throws (395-299) than its opponents through 20 games. The Hawkeyes get to the foul line 4.8 more times than their foes.
Difficult Home Stretch ? Iowa’s last three home contests came against top-15 ranked opponents (No. 8 Ohio State, No. 9 Michigan State and No. 12 Minnesota). The Hawkeyes’ next home game will also come against nationally ranked foe: No. 8 Purdue.
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.
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).
Iowa Ties Arena Mark ? Iowa’s 55 second-half points scored in its 84-65 triumph over Illinois on Jan. 1, matched the Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for most points in a second half. The Hawkeyes also scored 55 vs. Western Illinois on Nov. 25, 2000.
Smith Nominated for Senior CLASS Award ? 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 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.
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.
Kristi Smith Maturing Into Starting Role ? Hawkeye freshman Kristi Smith has done a fantastic job directing the Iowa offense since taking over the starting role. In Big Ten play, Smith averages 5.6 points, 3.33 assists and 0.89 steals.
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.
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 108-66 (.621) record in six years mentoring the Hawkeyes.
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).
Attendance Rankings ? Iowa ranks 23rd nationally in the women’s basketball attendance rankings released Jan. 30.
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.
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa State leads the second annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 11-4. Iowa State has recorded victories in women’s soccer (2-1), football (23-3), women’s basketball (77-61), men’s basketball (72-60) and women’s gymnastics (195.7-193.375). Iowa’s two wins came in wrestling (20-15) and women’s swimming and diving (156-144).
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.
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.
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.
On the Horizon ? Iowa will receive its second bye in as many weeks before hosting Northwestern on Thursday, Feb. 9. The Hawkeyes will return to the road on Sunday, Feb. 12 when they travel to nationally-ranked Ohio State.