Jan. 4, 2009
Indiana defeated Iowa 76-54 today in Bloomington, IN. Indiana wins its ninth-straight game, improving to 10-2 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten. Iowa losses its second-consecutive contest, falling to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in league play. Today was Iowa’s first game in seven days after receiving its first bye Thursday.
Today was the 53rd meeting between the two teams. Iowa now leads the all-time series 38-15, including a 14-10 edge in games played in Bloomington. Today was the Black and Gold’s first visit to Bloomington in nearly two years (Jan. 11, 2007). The win was only Indiana’s third over the Hawkeyes in 10 tries.
Iowa’s 54 points are the seventh-fewest ever scored against the Hoosiers. The 22-point loss is the third-largest margin of defeat to Indiana in the 53-game series history – – Iowa had a 28-point loss on Dec. 6, 1974 in Iowa City and a 24-point loss on Jan. 21, 1994 in Bloomington.
Megan Skouby scored Iowa’s first seven points of the second half, sinking her first three field goal attempts, including draining her seventh triple of her career. She netted 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half. Skouby, Iowa’s leading scorer, has scored double digits nine times this season. The senior also had a team-high three blocks, marking the fifth times this season she has collected three blocks or more in a game.
Kachine Alexander pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds today. She has led or shared the team lead in rebounding a team-best eight times this campaign. She has recorded double-digit rebounding performances a team-best five times this season. Alexander also had nine points, bolstered by 7-8 shooting from the charity stripe.
JoAnn Hamlin totaled 10 points today. She has reached double figures six times this season, including three of the last four games. The junior, who also grabbed seven rebounds, fouled out with 3:59 left in the game.
Wendy Ausdemore, Iowa’s second-leading scorer, was limited to a season-low one point today. Ausdemore, who fouled out with 5:13 left in the game, attempted only two field goals (0-2) and was 1-2 from the foul line. The free throw miss was only her second miss of the season (26-28). The senior did collect three assists.
The first 10:30 of the contest was a game of runs. The Hoosiers scored the first nine points of the game. Iowa answered with eight straight, followed by 10 consecutive by Indiana. Indiana closed the half on a 33-9 run to lead by 25 points (42-17) at intermission. The 25-point halftime deficit is Iowa’s worst of the season.
Iowa was plagued by poor shooting in the first 20 minutes. The visitors shot only 23.8 percent (5-21) from the floor, while the home team shot 50 percent (15-30). The Hawkeyes made only one field goal, a Megan Skouby jumper, the final 9:35 of the first stanza.
The Hoosiers outscored the Hawkeyes 18-0 in the paint, 11-0 in second-chance points and 18-4 in points off turnovers the first 20 minutes of the contest.
Indiana sprinted out to a 9-0 advantage the first 2:42 of the contest. Iowa missed three field goal attempts and had three turnovers on its first six offensive possessions. Also, Iowa starting center Megan Skouby was whistled for her second personal foul 2:42 into the contest. Iowa answered with an 8-0 surge to make the score 9-8. Hawkeye senior Kristi Smith ended Iowa’s scoring drought, sinking a 16-footer from the wing at the 16:19 mark.
Iowa, who ranks fourth in the nation in free throw shooting, shot 77.8 percent (14-18) from the free throw line.
Kristi Smith dished out a game-high four assists. She also added two points.
Today was Iowa’s fourth loss of the season by 20 points or more. Iowa trailed by as many as 29 points (55-26) in the second half.
Indiana senior Whitney Thomas posted a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds). Her ninth point was her 1,000th of her career.
Iowa concludes its stretch of four of five games on the road Thursday when the Hawkeyes visit West Lafayette, IN, and the Purdue Boilermakers. Game time is set for 6:06 p.m. and can be seen live on the Big Ten Network (HD).