Nov. 23, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Setting ? Iowa (5-1) returns to action Sunday when it travels to Omaha, NE, to face Creighton (0-4). Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium. Sunday will be Iowa’s first true road contest of the season.
Hawkeye Huddle at Creighton ? The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 12-1:30 p.m. prior to the Creighton game Sunday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, located at 1616 Dodge Street in Omaha. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.
Iowa History ? Iowa has played 914 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 559-355 (.612). That includes a 277-131 (.679) mark in Big Ten games and a 255-71 (.782) record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
On the Radio ? Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call the action for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the games on WHO 1040-AM in Des Moines, WMT 600-AM in Cedar Rapids and KXIC 800-AM in Iowa City.
The game can also be heard live over the Internet at hawkeyesports.com. Just click “Hawkeye All-Access” at the top right of the page. “Hawkeye All-Access” is a subscription service.
Scouting Creighton ? Creighton enters Sunday’s game having lost its first four games of the season, most recently 75-55 at Minnesota. The Bluejays were dominated on the glass, being out-rebounded 60-30 by the Golden Gophers. Minnesota turned 30 offensive rebounds into 22 second chance points. Creighton’s Michelle Kaus netted a game and career-high 22 points off the bench.
The Bluejays only returned one starter, Ally Thrall, from last year’s team that recorded an 8-21 record. Thrall averages a team-best 12.0 points, while Kaus averages 10.3 points. Creighton has been picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference this season by a panel of coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Creighton is coached by Jim Flanery (75-53, .586), who is in his fifth year as a head coach, all with the Bluejays. A member of Creighton’s men’s basketball team from 1985-87, Flanery has guided Creighton to three straight post-season tournaments, including capturing the 2004 WNIT championship. Flanery’s 2002-03 squad, racked-up 24 wins and won a share of the Missouri Valley regular season title.
Iowa, Creighton Notes ? Wendy Ausdemore expects to have a large following at Sunday’s game. The sophomore grew up in Neola, IA, about 30 minutes from Omaha.
? Two of the last four games played between Iowa and Creighton went to overtime. Each team won an overtime game on the opponent’s home floor.
? Creighton has four Iowans on its roster: sophomore Kristina Voss (Ankeny), sophomore Kelsey Crites (Clinton), junior Sara Cain (Walford) and junior Ally Thrall (Des Moines).
? The Bluejays’ Michelle Kaus was 3-14 from behind the 3-point arc in its first three games, but drained 6-9 at Minnesota Wednesday night.
? Creighton converts 82.1 percent (64-78) from the foul line, while Iowa makes 77.6 (114-147).
All-Time Series Record ? Iowa leads the all-time series Creighton, 6-5. The Hawkeyes have won the most recent three meetings, including last year’s 74-64 victory in Iowa City. Iowa is 2-2 in games at Omaha. The Hawkeyes won their last trip to Creighton (91-84) in overtime in December, 2004. Lisa Bluder is 16-10 against Creighton, including a 4-3 mark while coaching the Hawkeyes.
Common Opponents ? Iowa and Creighton already share one common opponent: Kansas. The Hawkeyes defeated the Jayhawks (63-49) in the championship game of the WBCA Classic in Kansas City, MO. The Bluejays lost to Kansas (60-47) in Omaha on Nov. 20.
On This Date ? Iowa is 6-1 in games played on November 26, including winning its last six. This marks the third straight year the Hawkeyes will have played on November 26. Iowa dropped Rider last year (88-41) in the San Francisco Tournament.
Last Meeting ? Megan Skouby scored 22 points and Krista VandeVenter added 18 points en route to a 74-64 victory over Creighton at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
After Creighton jumped out to an early 7-1 lead to start the game Skouby drilled five straight jumpers to tie the contest at 13-13. Iowa took its first lead with 8:29 left in the first half after a layup from Wendy Ausdemore, but the Bluejays regained the lead after a Kristi Woodard bucket and did not trail the rest of the half.
Iowa trimmed the Creighton lead to two at the start the second half, but Ally Thrall sank a 3-pointer with 17:18 left to stretch the Bluejay lead to seven. The Hawkeyes responded with a 7-0 run to regain a 44-43 lead with 13:29 left.
After Creighton’s Angie Janis hit a jumper to put the Bluejays up by three, VandeVenter swiped one of her career-high six steals for a layup to give Iowa a 50-49 lead with 9:48 left and the Hawkeyes never relinquished the lead. A 3-pointer by Tiffany Reedy gave Iowa a 54-49 lead and a 3-point play by Nicole VanderPol with 5:59 left gave the Hawkeyes a comfortable advantage. Four free throws by Ausdemore down the stretch sealed the win for Iowa.
Starting center Stacy Schlapkohl suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the first half. The Iowa post players responded very well in Schlapkohl’s absence, outscoring Creighton 36-22 in the paint. Skouby scored 12 of her 22 points in the first half, while VandeVenter scored 16 of her 18 points in the second period.
Creighton was able to gain an advantage on the boards and out-rebounded Iowa 36-30, including 16 offensive rebounds. Angie Janis led Creighton with 19 points, while Kristi Woodard grabbed nine rebounds.
Busy Bodies ? Iowa concluded the busiest part of its game schedule last Tuesday. The Hawkeyes played the first six games of the regular season in 11 days. Last week, Iowa played three games in four days. Iowa currently has only eight healthy players.
Foursome ? Iowa has four players averaging double figures in scoring: Megan Skouby (18.0), Wendy Ausdemore (14.3), Kristi Smith (12.7) and Stacy Schlapkohl (12.5). The Hawkeyes’ top three scorers are sophomores.
Last Time Out ? Iowa lost its first game of the year when it dropped a 77-59 decision to Louisiana Tech Tuesday night in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win was the Lady Techsters’ 900th victory. Louisiana Tech led start-to-finish. The Lady Techsters raced out to a 20-point first half advantage, bolstered by 66.7 percent (6-9) shooting from 3-point range.
The Lady Techsters had two players record double-doubles: Shan Moore (24 points, 10 rebounds) and JoKierra Sneed (12 points, 10 rebounds).
Louisiana Tech held Iowa to season lows in points (59), field goals made (21), steals (2), offensive rebounds (13) and free throws made (14). The Hawkeyes did pull down a season-best 42 rebounds.
Iowa was led by Megan Skouby, who tallied 16 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Stacy Schlapkohl contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Kristi Smith added 10 points in defeat.
Hawkeyes Honored ? Sophomores Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby were named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament team. Skouby was recognized as the tournament’s Most Valubale Player.
Hot Shot ? Lindsey Nyenhuis provided a spark for the Hawkeyes off the bench last weekend. Nyenhuis scored a career-high 12 points vs. Quinnipiac and nine against Florida International. All of her points came from behind the 3-point arc. The sophomore was a sizzling 7-8 (.875) from 3-point range in the tournament.
Smith Leads ? Kristi Smith had a fabulous Hawkeye Challenge championship game. The point guard was a perfect 7-7 from the foul line and shot a blistering 70 percent (7-10) from the field in scoring a career-high 21 points. The sophomore gave Iowa momentum going into the second half against Florida International when she scored Iowa’s last nine points of the first half.
Smith ranks fourth in Big Ten assists with 4.67 per game. She also ranks third in team scoring (12.7).
Hi-Octane ? The 171 combined points in Iowa’s 88-83 win over Indiana State was the highest scoring game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since a 94-83 loss to Minnesota in 2001.
Number of the Week – – 114 ? Iowa has made 114 free throws through five games (19 per game). While Iowa has made 114, opponents have attempted only 103 foul shots (made 72).
Ausdemore Ties Record ? Wendy Ausdemore tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record by an Iowa player when she made five triples vs. Quinnipiac. The sophomore was 5-7 (.714) from behind the arc against the Bobcats. For the season, she is 12-32 (.375) from 3-point range.
Ausdemore ranks eighth in league scoring (14.3) and 11th in assists (3.3).
Hawkeyes Win WBCA Classic ? Iowa opened the season with two quality road wins, defeating Missouri State (79-70) and Kansas (63-49) to capture the fifth-annual WBCA Classic in Kansas City, MO.
Trifecta ? The Hawkeyes had three sophomores recognized on the WBCA Classic All-Tournament team. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith all earned all-tournament laurels. Skouby was honored as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Skouby averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in the two contests. Smith averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.5 rebounds. Ausdemore averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Freebies ? Iowa has made free throws when it counted — in the last five minutes of the games. The Hawkeyes are 31-38 (.816) in the last five minutes, 15-19 (.789) under two minutes and 17-20 (.850) with under a minute to play.
Schlapkohl Delivers ? Stacy Schlapkohl returned to the starting lineup in lowa’s 88-83 win over Indiana State. The junior scored a game and career-high 24 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 6-10 from the foul line. She also netted 16 points in the Hawkeyes’ triumph over Quinnipiac.
Schlapkohl ranks fourth in team scoring (12.5).
Home Cooking ? Iowa’s last four games were home games. After playing on the road at Creighton Sunday, the Hawkeyes will play two more home contests next week (Iowa State, Thursday and Samford, Sunday).
VandeVenter Out ? Krista VandeVenter, who sprained her ankle in practice Oct. 24, played little in the exhibition opener. The junior played six minutes, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound. Unfortunately, her night ended prematurely as with a dislocated right shoulder while diving for a loose ball in the second half. She is out indefinitely.
The native of Osseo, MN, missed her first career start last weekend. VandeVenter is the only Iowa player in history to have started 62 games her first two seasons. The team co-captain entered the 2006-07 campaign ranked 16th in career rebounding at Iowa.
Graham Steps Up ? With Iowa’s leading rebounder sidelined indefinitely, Jenee Graham has stepped up and filled the rebounding void. The junior grabbed double-digit rebounds in 5-6 contests. Graham corralled a career-high 14 rebounds against Indiana State and Louisiana Tech.
Graham averages 5.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Streaking ? Sophomore Megan Skouby has scored double figures in 22 consecutive games, six this season, dating back to Iowa’s road game at Michigan (1/5/06).
All-Big Ten Recognition ? For the second straight year, Iowa has been picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten by the media and coaches. Individually, Megan Skouby was named to the pre-season all-conference team by the media and coaches. Skouby is the only sophomore to be recognized; the team is comprised of three seniors, one junior and one sophomore.
Gunning For Seven ? Iowa has posted a winning season each year Coach Bluder has been on the Hawkeye sidelines. The Hawkeyes have strung together six straight winning seasons since the 2000-01 campaign, earning an NCAA Tournament berth four times. The school record for consecutive winning seasons is 11, established 1984-1994.
Challenging Schedule Awaits ? Iowa’s schedule looks to be just as challenging as last year’s, if not more so. The Hawkeyes have the potential to play 16 teams that competed in 2006 post-season tournaments, including eight that participated in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa will play 17 games (two exhibitions) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the most regular season home contests in school history.
20-Year Anniversary ? This season marks the 20-year anniversary of Iowa’s first Big Ten regular season championship. Iowa’s 1986-87 team finished the league campaign 17-1 and shared the title with Ohio State. The squad advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual NCAA runner-up Louisiana Tech. Michelle Edwards earned all-America honors, while Franthea Price was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Senior Update ? Redshirt senior Johanna Solverson, who is Iowa’s lone senior on the roster, suffered her second ACL tear on her right knee in late June. She is currently rehabbing and it is hopeful that she will return to game action in February.
Bluder Approaches Milestones ? After garnering her 300th Division I victory in Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Indiana last season, Bluder will reach two additional coaching milestones in 2006-07. She will coach in her 700th career game and 200th on the Iowa sidelines, both during conference play. The Marion, IA, native has coached in 688 career games (474-214, .689) and 186 contests (118-72, .621) on the Hawkeye sidelines.
In her first six years at Iowa, Bluder guided the Black and Gold to four first division finishes in the highly regarded Big Ten Conference. Iowa’s 56 league wins the last six seasons rank as the fourth-highest total in the Big Ten behind Purdue (75), Penn State (69) and Ohio State (64). She has coached five Hawkeye players to all-Big Ten first team status, three to the second team and three that were named to the all-freshman team.
No Senior Starters ? For the first time under Coach Bluder, Iowa will not have a senior in the starting lineup. Iowa’s probable starting lineup includes four sophomores (Wendy Ausdemore, Lindsey Nyenhuis, Kristi Smith, Megan Skouby) and one junior (Krista VandeVenter).
The last time Iowa did not have a senior starter was the 1999-00 season (two juniors, three sophomores). Iowa has had at least two senior starters every year under Bluder, except the 2002-03 season (center Tracy Schrupp). Below is a list of Iowa’s senior starters under Bluder:
2000-01: Cara Consuegra, Randi Peterson2001-02: Leah Magner, Lindsey Meder, Jerica Watson2002-03: Tracy Schrupp2003-04: Kristi Faulkner, Jennie Lillis2004-05: Jenna Armstrong, Jamie Cavey2005-06: Tiffany Reedy, Crystal Smith="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>
Hawkeyes on the Tube ? Seven regular season games are already scheduled to be televised by either KCRG or Comcast SportsNet Chicago. KCRG will televise home contests vs. Iowa State (Nov. 30), Northern Iowa (Dec. 19), Michigan State (Jan. 14) and Wisconsin (Feb. 25). Comcast SportsNet Chicago will air home games vs. Minnesota (Jan. 25) and Michigan (Feb. 8) and the Hawkeyes’ road game at Penn State (Jan. 28).
Underclassmen Stepped Up in 2005-06 ? Last year’s freshman class of Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith, Wendy Ausdemore, Nicole VanderPol and Lindsey Nyenhuis stepped up and accounted for 42.5 percent of Iowa’s offense. The sophomore class of Krista VandeVenter, Abby Emmert and Stacy Schlapkohl was responsible for 20.6 percent of Iowa’s offense. Combined, the underclassmen accounted for 63.1 percent of Iowa’s offense, which bodes well for the future.
Home Grown Hawkeyes ? Iowa’s 2006-07 roster features four players from the state of Iowa (Wendy Ausdemore, Abby Emmert, Stacy Schlapkohl and Nicole VanderPol). The Hawkeyes also have two players from Illinois (Jenee Graham and Johanna Solverson) and Minnesota (Krista VandeVenter and Zoraa Quoie). Iowa’s 12-person roster also features players from Colorado (Kristi Smith), Kansas (JoAnn Hamlin), Michigan (Lindsey Nyenhuis) and Ohio (Megan Skouby).
Hawkeye Newcomers ? Iowa’s only freshman is Zoraa Quoie, from Woodbury, MN. Quoie was named to the Miss Minnesota Basketball Senior All-State team her senior season. She was also named to the Star-Tribune third defensive team as a senior. Quoie was a 2005 and 2006 all-conference selection and earned 2004 and 2005 honorable mention all-state laurels. Quoie holds her high school’s record for single-season steals.
Also on the roster this year is JoAnn Hamlin, who transferred from Kansas State. Hamlin cannot compete due to NCAA transfer rules, but can practice with the team and will have three years of eligibility remaining starting in 2007-08. Hamlin played in 33 games last year, with 31 starts at center for the Wildcats. The 31 starts were the fifth-most in the nation among freshmen. She scored in double figures 15 times, reaching the 20-point plateau four times. Hamlin averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, had a total of 22 blocks and 26 steals.
Hawkeyes Traveling Overseas in 2007 ? The women’s basketball team will be traveling overseas for 12 days to Greece, August 2007, to play four exhibition games and do some sightseeing.
Hawkeyes Ink Two ? Kachine Alexander and Kelsey Cermak have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
Alexander, a native of Minneapolis, MN, is a three-time all-conference honoree. She earned the Best Defensive Player Award at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School her freshman and sophomore seasons. Her team was three-time conference champions and won the Minnesota State AAA Championship in 2006. The 5-9 forward was named state tournament MVP and earned honorable mention all-state honors her junior year. She averaged 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists in 29 starts her junior season.
Cermak, who hails from Norwalk, IA, is a two-time first team all-state honoree and a three-time first team all-conference and all-district selection. She was the Norwalk High School MVP her first three years. The 6-1 guard holds her school’s single-season record for steals (90). She averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals in 26 starts on a team that won the Iowa state and conference championship her junior season. Cermak averaged 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 steals her sophomore campaign. Norwalk placed second in its conference her freshman and sophomore seasons.
“We are excited to sign these two talented recruits,” said Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “We welcome both of these new Hawkeyes to our family!”
Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series ? Iowa currently leads the third annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 5-2. Iowa was victorious in women’s soccer (1-0, OT) and football (27-17), while Iowa State won volleyball (3-2). The next event is women’s basketball on Nov. 30 in Iowa City.
The nine-sport series awards two points (except football, which is worth three) to the winning school in each head-to-head match-up between the two institutions. Additionally, two points are awarded to an institution if the graduation rate of its student-athletes is greater than the national average as reported each fall by the NCAA.
Blogging ? Hawkeye fans will be treated to behind-the-scenes information this season as sophomore Wendy Ausdemore and junior Abby Emmert will have their own blogs, which will be posted on the women’s basketball page of hawkeyesports.com. The duo will share their thoughts on practices, games, road trips, and everything else surrounding the program.
Iowa Information on the Web ? Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Big Ten Tournament games 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 hawkeyesports.com and then clicking on the `Gametracker’ link.
“Hawk Talk with Lisa Bluder” ? Catch “Hawk Talk with Lisa Bluder”, the radio call-in program Monday nights featuring Iowa Hawkeye women’s head coach Lisa Bluder, on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The first show is set for November 27.
Fans can call toll-free at (800) 332-5401 or locally at (319) 365-0600. The show originates from Bob’s Your Uncle restaurant on the eastside of Iowa City.
On the Horizon ? Iowa will host two games next week in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes will play Iowa State in the fourth event of the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series Thursday at 7 p.m. (KCRG-TV). Iowa will also welcome Samford to Iowa City on Sunday, Dec. 3, for a 12:05 p.m. tip-off.