Nov. 18, 2006
Iowa captured its 17th KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge with tonight’s 72-62 triumph over Florida International. The Hawkeyes improve to 37-5 in tournament games. Iowa also improves to 2-0 all-time against Florida International.
The all-tournament team consisted of Erin Kerner of Quinnipiac, Deidra Jones of Florida A&M, LaQuetta Ferguson and Lasma Jekabsone of Florida International and Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby of Iowa. Skouby was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Skouby was also named MVP of the WBCA Classic last week.
Kristi Smith had a terrific night for the Hawkeyes. The point guard scored 21 points on 7-10 shooting from the field and 7-7 from the free throw line. She also dished out a career-high nine assists and collected two steals and two rebounds. Smith scored Iowa’s last nine points of the first half via three field goals and three free throws.
Megan Skouby netted 21 points tonight, marking the second consecutive night the sophomore registered 20 points or more – she had 22 points vs. Quinnipiac last night.
Iowa shot above 60 percent from the field for the second straight night. The Hawkeyes converted 17-28 (.607) tonight, while they were 20-33 (.606) in the second stanza vs. Quinnipiac last night.
Wendy Ausdemore has netted double figures in all five games this year. The sophomore scored 10 points and also matched career highs in blocks (3) and rebounds (8) tonight.
Lindsey Nyenhuis was a perfect 3-3 from behind the 3-point arc in the second half to help lift the Hawkeyes to victory. Nyenhuis was 7-8 (.875) from beyond the arc in the two tournament contests.
Iowa out-scored Florida International 22-12 in the paint in the second half.
Tonight concluded a stretch of five games in eight days for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is right back to action Tuesday night when it hosts Louisiana Tech at 6:35 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena for “Buck Night”. Tuesday night’s game will be Iowa’s sixth game in 11 days.