Nov. 26, 2006
OMAHA, Neb. — The Iowa Hawkeyes rode a balanced scoring attack led by Kristi Smith’s game-high 15 points, another strong performance at the charity stripe, and a slight edge on the boards to a 75-69 victory over Creighton Sunday afternoon.
Smith led a group of five Hawkeyes who scored in double figures in Iowa’s fifth victory of the aeseon against just one loss. Stacy Shlapkohl and Wendy Ausdemore each scored 12 points, and Jenee Graham and Abby Emmert 10 apiece. Graham also grabbed nine rebounds.
|
Iowa returns to action Thursday at 7 p.m. when the Hawkeyes entertain Iowa State in the next event in the 2006-07 Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series.
|
Smith scored nine of her points at the free throw line where she missed just once. She also sank both of her two three-point field goal attempts and was credited with two assists.
Iowa twice built double-digit leads during the second half, but could never really put away the Bluejays, who forced 21 turnovers with steady full-court pressure.
“We didn’t play our best basketball today. I’m thankful we shot a good percentage from the free throw line and the floor,” said UI Coach Lisa Bluder. “We didn’t really get into a rhythm today, we had too many turnovers”
Iowa shot a solid 49 percent from the field, sinking 24 of 49 attempt. The Hawkeyes were white hot at the free throw line, however. There, they nailed 23 of 25 attempts including 13 of 15 in the final stanza. Iowa won the battle of the boards, but just barely, 36-32.
Creighton also had five players score in double-figures. Michelle Kaus led the Bluejays with 14 points.
Iowa returns to action Thursday when they entertain intrastate rival Iowa State at 7 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is the first of three consecutive events in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series that will be staged in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes currently lead this year’s challenge for state of Iowa bragging rights by a 5-2 score.