Nov. 12, 2006
KANSAS CITY — Megan Skouby scored 17 points and three other Hawkeyes scored in double-figures to lead the nationally ranked University of Iowa to a 63-49 victory over Kansas Sunday in the championship game of the WBCA Classic.
Skouby, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, also grabbed eight rebounds – all on the defensive end of the floor, to help the Hawkeyes secure their second win of the season.
Wendy Ausdemore scored 12, Stacy Schlapkohl 11 and Kristi Smith 10 for a very balanced and efficient UI scoring attack that also included four three-point baskets. For the second straight game, Jenee Graham led Iowa in rebounding with 10 boards.
“I think we have a number of players that want to be that go-to player and that’s a coaches dream,” said Lisa Bluder, who watched her team patiently deal with a second-half charge by the Jayhawks that trimmed Iowa’s 34-20 halftime lead to single-digits.
Bluder was particularly impressed with Schlapkohl and her team’s free throw shooing. Schlapkohl sank three of five field goal attempts, five throws and grabbed four rebounds in 21 minutes of action. “I’m very happy the way Stacy played for us tonight. She was moving well and it’s comforting seeing her out on the floor,” Bluder said of her back-up guard.
The Hawkeyes sank 83 percent of their free throws including 10 of 13 attempts in the second half.
Iowa will entertain Indiana State on Wednesday in its regular season home opener before hosting the 2006 KCRG-TV Hawkeye Challenge over the weekend.