Feb. 8, 2009
Minnesota rallied from seven points down late to escape with a 64-58 win over Iowa today at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, MN. Iowa falls to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in league play. Minnesota improves to 17-6 overall and 9-3 in the Big Ten.
Tonight was the 61st meeting between Iowa and Minnesota. Minnesota snapped a three-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes with today’s win. Iowa now leads the all-time series, 40-21. Today was Minnesota’s first triumph over Iowa in Minneapolis since beating Iowa on Feb. 3, 2005.
Today’s game was a homecoming for three Hawkeyes who hail from the state of Minnesota: Kachine Alexander (Minneapolis), Hannah Draxten (Fergus Falls) and Kamille Wahlin (Crookston). About 300-400 fans were at the game tonight cheering for the Hawkeyes and their three Minnesota natives.
Iowa made all its 3-pointers in the first half. The Hawkeyes were 0-9 (.000) in the second half from distance.
Minnesota was 14-16 from the foul line, while Iowa was 5-5.
Despite playing without JoAnn Hamlin, Iowa outrebounded Minnesota 38-31.
Megan Skouby posted her first career double-double today (21 points and 11 rebounds). The 11 rebounds are a career best. Skouby netted 15 of her 21 points in the second stanza.
Kristi Smith contributed 14 points and four assists, while Wendy Ausdemore had 13 points and five rebounds. Kamille Wahlin tallied eight points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists.
Iowa led 56-49 with four minutes remaining, but the Golden Gophers ended the game on a 15-2 run, sparked by six-straight points by Ashley Ellis-Milan.
The Golden Gophers improved to 11-1 in home games this year.
Iowa led 29-23 at intermission. Today marked the 14th contest this season that Iowa led halftime. Iowa lost for the first time (13-1) this year when leading at the break. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 12 points (20-8) in the first half. The Hawkeyes shot 50 percent (12-24) from the field, including 46 percent (5-11) from 3-point range, in the first stanza.
Iowa made the first bucket of the second half, but Minnesota quickly answered by going on a 10-0 surge to take its first lead of the game 33-31 at the 16:28 mark.
Iowa scored on five of its first six offensive possessions, including its first four trips down the court. The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 12-4 advantage the first four minutes of the contest.
JoAnn Hamlin missed her fifth-straight game today with a sprained left ankle. Hamlin is Iowa’s second-leading rebounder and fifth-leading scorer.
Iowa returns to action Thursday when it entertains nationally-ranked Ohio State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Thursday will be the only regular season game between the two schools.