Women's Basketball / February 13, 2009

Iowa Travels to Penn State Sunday

Feb. 13, 2009

THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (15-9, 8-5) travel to University Park, PA, Sunday to face the Penn State Lady Lions (9-14, 4-9). Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. (CST) in the Bryce Jordan Center. Sunday will be Penn State’s Pink Zone event. Both teams will be wearing pink-trimmed uniforms in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness. Sunday will mark the third Pink Zone game between Iowa and Penn State the last two seasons. Iowa has won three of its last four games, including upsetting No. 13 Ohio State Thursday night in Iowa City. Penn State has lost four of its last five, playing four of the five on the road.

ON THE INTERNET
Hawkeye fans can watch Sunday afternoon’s game for free online at bigtennetwork.com.

ON THE RADIO
Brent Balbinot and Shelley Till will call Sunday afternoon’s game for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the game on WMT AM-600 in Cedar Rapids and WHO AM-1040 in Des Moines. Balbinot is in his fifth season as Iowa’s play-by-play voice, while Till is in her fourth providing analysis. Hawkeye fans can also follow the game via live stats (gametracker). The `GT’ link can be accessed under the `Calender’ tab on the front page of hawkeyesports.com or on the women’s basketball schedule page.

IOWA HISTORY
Iowa has played 994 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Overall, Iowa’s record is 604-390 (.608). That includes a 304-151 (.668) mark in Big Ten contests and 283-82 (.775) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

HAMLIN UPDATE
After sustaining a left-ankle sprain during practice Jan. 22, JoAnn Hamlin missed five-straight games. However, she returned to action Thursday night vs. No. 13 Ohio State, playing 18 minutes off the bench.

IOWA-ILLINOIS START TIME ANNOUNCED
The Big Ten Conference announced the start time for the Iowa women’s basketball regular season home finale vs. Illinois on Sunday, Feb. 26, will tip-off at 8:06 p.m. from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be televised live to a national cable audience on the Big Ten Network (HD). Former Hawkeye all-American, Jolette Law, will make her first appearance in Carver-Hawkeye Arena as Illinois’ head coach. Iowa’s game vs. Illinois is also its “Senior Night”. The Hawkeyes will honor their five outstanding seniors after the game.

SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters Sunday’s game with a 9-14 overall record and 4-9 in the Big Ten. Seven of its nine victories have come at home. The Lady Lions have lost four of their last five games, playing four of the five on the road. Sunday will be Penn State’s third game in seven days. Penn State won at Michigan (64-56), but lost at Wisconsin (58-52) on Thursday. In Penn State’s loss at Wisconsin, the Badgers forced 21 Penn State turnovers. Junior Tyra Grant was the only Lady Lion to score in double figures. Grant led all scorers with 24 points. Zhaque Gray netted nine points off the bench. Brianne O’Rourke contributed only five points on 1-7 shooting from the field and 3-3 from the foul line, and one assist. Grant ranks second in Big Ten scoring (19.9) and sixth in 3-pointers made (41). O’Rourke ranks second in Big Ten assists (4.57) and second in team scoring (11.1). Julia Trogele, who was injured during the Penn State at Iowa match-up Feb. 1, missed one game due to the injury. Trogele did not play in a two-point home loss to Minnesota, but saw action off the bench in Penn State’s last two games at Michigan and Wisconsin. She averages 7.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest. As a team, Penn State ranks second in Big Ten steals (9.22) and third in turnover margin (+0.87). The Lady Lions rank last in Big Ten scoring defense (63.7), free throw percentage (.648) and rebounds allowed (38.9). Coquese Washington is in her second season (22-32, .407) as a head coach, both at Penn State. Prior to being named head coach at Penn State, Washington spent a total of eight seasons on the Notre Dame bench, two as an associate head coach and six as an assistant.

ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday will be the 35th meeting between Iowa and Penn State, with the Lady Lions leading the series 19-15. Iowa has four-straight games over the Lady Lions. Penn State holds an 11-4 advantage in games played in University Park, PA. The Hawkeyes snapped a four-game losing streak at Penn State with a 73-65 triumph last season. The win earned Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder her 500th career victory. Iowa outlasted Penn State 97-89 in triple overtime two weeks ago in Iowa City. The contest is the longest Big Ten game ever played, since league play officially began in 1982-83.

HAWKEYES-LADY LIONS MAKE BIG TEN HISTORY
The Iowa-Penn State triple overtime game on Feb. 1, in Iowa City, made Big Ten history. Iowa became the first Big Ten school to win a triple overtime conference game, since league play officially began in 1982-83.

IOWA, PENN STATE NOTES
? Iowa is 3-0 when wearing pink-trimmed ">Kachine Alexander recorded her second triple-double of the season vs. Penn State Feb. 1. ">Kamille Wahlin tallied 18 points and seven rebounds in her first career game vs. the Lady Lions ">Kristi Smith averages 16.5 points and has missed only two free throws (18-20, .900) in six ">Kachine Alexander averages a double-double (13 points and 12 rebounds) in two games vs. Penn ">Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby average 10.8 and 10.3 points, respectively, in six games.
">Megan Skouby surpassed Lisa Becker for eighth place in Iowa’s career scoring after totaling ">Kristi Smith cracked the top 10 career scoring chart with her totals from Sunday’s road game ">Megan Skouby.
? Megan Skouby has led the team in scoring the entire season, however Kristi Smith has finally caught her senior teammate. Both have scored 313 points through 24 ">Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (3.15), and fourth in scoring (8.0), rebounding (3.2), ">Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 41 through 23 games this ">Wendy Ausdemore’s 13 points on Sunday increased her career scoring total to 1,211. The ">Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks sixth in Big Ten rebounding, ">Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 18 times this year, including the last 10 ">Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best 10 times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore twice and Megan Skouby once. The last time an Iowa player controlled double-digit rebounds 10 times or ">Jenee Graham (11), during the 2006-07 season.
? Iowa has an RPI rating uniforms the last two seasons, including beating Penn State twice.
? Iowa’s win coupled with Indiana’s loss Thursday moved the Hawkeyes into fifth place in the Big Ten standings.
? Iowa’s last five games of the season are against the last five teams in the Big Ten standings.
? Iowa boasts a perfect 9-0 record when allowing 59 points or less, are 14-2 when shooting a higher field goal percentage than its opponents and 14-1 when leading at halftime this season.
? Tyra Grant and Brianne O’Rourke had great games against the Hawkeyes in the first meeting between Iowa and Penn State Feb. 1. Grant totaled 33 points and four assists, while O’Rourke was credited with 20 points, nine assists and five rebounds.
? ? ? ? ? Kachine Alexander has made a name for herself in the Big Ten with her improved play. Last season, she played only 18 games, averaging 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists. Through 24 games this season, she is averaging 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranks second in Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (1.56) and assists (4.69), and third in rebounds (9.7) and defensive rebounds (7.15), in league game rankings. Additionally, she became the first Big Ten player to ever post two triple-doubles in the same season when she accomplished the feat twice in four games. The Minneapolis, MN, native had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists vs. Northwestern (Jan. 18) and 26 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Penn State (Feb. 1). Both games were Iowa wins.

TRIPLE THREAT
Kachine Alexander, who was tabbed Big Ten Player of the Week twice this season (Jan. 20 and Feb. 3), is the first player in Big Ten history to record two triple-doubles in a season. The 5-9 guard totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in Iowa’s win against the Northwestern Wildcats. The 12 assists are a personal best and match the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record. She became the first player to register a triple-double during a Big Ten game since Feb. 8, 2007, when Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks against Minnesota. The last triple-double involving points, rebounds and assists in league play was courtesy of Iowa’s Cara Consuegra (17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) on Feb. 3, 2000. The sophomore repeated the feat three games later when she totaled 26 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a triple-overtime triumph over Penn State. She is the only Hawkeye to ever record two triple-doubles. Alexander is one of only three NCAA Division I student-athletes to post multiple triple-doubles this season. Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning and St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson are the other two players to have two triple-doubles this year. In total, there have been 12 triple-doubles, by a total of nine different players in 2008-09. Alexander became only the second Iowa basketball player, male or female, to post a triple-double (Cara Consuegra).

HAWKEYES UPSET NO. 13 OHIO STATE, 85-75
Iowa used a 19-0 run at the end of the first half to propel the Hawkeyes to an 85-75 triumph over No. 13 Ohio State Thursday night in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes led by double digits for most of the second half. The Buckeyes closed to within five points with 1:38 remaining, but Iowa sank its free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. Four Hawkeye starters scored in double figures: Kristi Smith (20), Kamille Wahlin (19), Kachine Alexander (16) and Wendy Ausdemore (14). Alexander scored 14 of her 16 points from the free throw line. Her 14-18 shooting from the foul line are Carver-Hawkeye Arena records for makes and attempted, by an Iowa player. She also corralled a game-high 14 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Wahlin’s 19 points is a personal best, while she also dished out a team-high five assists. Smith’s 20 points was bolstered by a perfect 10-10 shooting from the charity stripe. Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender netted a game-high 32 points. She also had 10 rebounds.

LAST OUTING TIP-INS
? Iowa snapped a 10-game losing skid to the Buckeyes with its 10-point victory (85-75). The series is now tied 25-25 after 50 meetings. Iowa has now recorded two victories over ranked opponents this season (#22 Iowa State and #13 Ohio State).
? Iowa has won 18 of its last 19 contests in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, dating back to last season. Iowa boasts an 11-1 home record this year.
? Iowa trailed 34-28 with 5:32 left in the first half, but closed the half on a 19-0 run to lead 47-34 at intermission. The 47 points, in the first half, match a season high for the Hawkeyes in a half (Texas State).
? The Hawkeyes dominated the Buckeyes from the free throw line. Iowa attempted 23 more free throws than Ohio State. Iowa was 26-32 (.813), while Ohio State was only 3-9 (.333).
? After missing the last five games due to an injured ankle, JoAnn Hamlin returned to action playing 18 minutes off the bench. She missed her five field goal attempts, but did grab three rebounds and had an assist and a block.
? Kristi Smith has now topped the 20-point plateau four times this season, including twice in the last four games.
? Iowa out-rebounded Ohio State by seven (42-35).
? Iowa shot 56.7 percent (17-30) from the field in the first half and 45 percent (27-60) for the game. The Hawkeyes’ field goal percentage was bolstered by 5-11 (.455) shooting from distance.
? Star Allen contributed 11 rebounds and six points, while Samantha Prahalis collected a game-high six assists and had nine points for the Buckeyes.

MAKING THE FREEBIES
Senior Megan Skouby ranks first in the conference and ranks 34th nationally in free throw accuracy, shooting .847 (72-85). Wendy Ausdemore has missed only five free throw attempts this season (43-48, .896). As a team, Iowa shoots .791 (351-444) from the charity stripe, ranking sixth in the nation. The Hawkeyes have made (351) nearly as many free throws as their opponents have attempted (362).

DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Last season, Iowa had only three players record a double-double in 32 games (Wendy Ausdemore, Johanna Solverson and Megan Skouby). So far this season, Iowa has had five different players post double-doubles a total of 13 times through 24 games. Kachine Alexander has posted five double-doubles this season, which includes two triple-doubles. The sophomore registered double-doubles vs. Providence, Michigan and No. 13 Ohio State, and also added triple-doubles vs. Northwestern and Penn State. The last Iowa player to record five or more double-doubles in a season was Jennie Lillis in 2002-03. Lillis had nine double-doubles that season. JoAnn Hamlin has four double-doubles (Boston, Iowa State, Minnesota and Wisconsin) this year. Wendy Ausdemore had back-to-back double-doubles vs. Texas Tech and South Florida in the Paradise Jam. Kamille Wahlin had her first double-double vs. Michigan, while senior Megan Skouby posted her first career double-double at Minnesota last Sunday.

HOME, AWAY COMPARISONS
Iowa averages 16.3 more points at home than on the road. The Black and Gold have a much-higher free throw percentage at home (.819) than on the road (.749). Iowa averages 4.7 more rebounds per game, 4.7 more assists and 3.0 fewer turnovers at home than on the road.

WINS, LOSSES COMPARISONS
There are big differences, statistically in Iowa’s wins vs. losses. The Hawkeyes average 19 more points in victory. Also, Iowa averages 5.2 fewer turnovers in its victories. Finally, Iowa averages .398 from behind the 3-point arc in its wins, compared to only .296 in defeat. Individually, Kristi Smith averages 15.1 points, including making 33-72 (.458) from 3-point range, in victories. Also, Kachine Alexander averages 11.2 points, 5.2 assists and 9.7 rebounds in Hawkeyes wins. In losses, Smith averages only 9.6 points, while Alexander averages 5.8 points and 1.7 assists.

WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE
Kamille Wahlin was moved to a starting role the last six games, due to the absence of JoAnn Hamlin. In her first six career starts, Wahlin averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 35.8 minutes of action. She currently ranks second in assists (3.15), and fourth in scoring (8.0), rebounding (3.2), field goal percentage (.459) and 3-point field goal percentage (.400), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only rankings. Additionally, she ranks first in Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (2.16), eighth in field goal percentage (.459) and 10th in assists (3.15), in league games only. In her first career start against Michigan (Jan. 26), she posted a double-double, the first of her career, recording 14 points and a personal-best 10 assists. The 10 assists are believed to be the most in a single-game by an Iowa freshman. At Michigan State, Wahlin was under the weather, with the flu, but still managed to play 27 minutes and collect six points and two assists. In Iowa’s triple overtime thriller, the freshman logged 43 minutes of court time, recording 18 points and seven boards. Wahlin helped Iowa to a two-point victory (69-67) over Indiana on Feb. 5. The freshman tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. At Minnesota, she was credited with eight points, seven rebounds and a game-high six assists. The native of Crookston, MN, netted a personal-best 19 points and collected a team-high five assists in Iowa’s 10-point upset win over No. 13 Ohio State Thursday night in Iowa City.

HOME SWEET HOME
Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 18 of its last 19 home games. Iowa boasts an 11-1 home record this season. Purdue snapped Iowa’s 12-game winning streak with a 69-60 win Dec. 28 in Iowa City.

DISTRIBUTING THE BALL
Kachine Alexander has been putting up big assist numbers. The sophomore dished out eight assists vs. Minnesota (Jan. 11) and followed up that performance with nine at Illinois (Jan. 15). Against Northwestern (Jan. 18), Alexander collected a game and career-high 12 helpers. The 12 assists tied the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record. She was credited with 10 dimes vs. Penn State (Feb. 1). Alexander ranks second in assists (4.8), in conference play. Alexander’s 29 combined assists vs. Minnesota, Illinois and Northwestern are believed to be the most ever by a Hawkeye in a three-game span. Iowa is 7-0 this season when Alexander has five assists or more, and only 2-6 with two assists or fewer.

COMPARING SMITH AND WAHLIN’S FRESHMAN NUMBERS
Kamille Wahlin is on the same path as Kristi Smith in her freshman season. Below are Kamille’s and Kristi’s freshman year numbers.

Kristi Smith's Freshman Campaign in 2005-06="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cstrong%3EGP/GS%20%20%20%20FG-FGA%20%203-Ptrs%20%20FT-FTA%20%20RB%20%20AS%20%20ST%20%20PTS%20AVG%3C/strong%3E29/21%20%20%2074-156%20%2022-53%20%20%2036-43%20%20%2061%20%2082%20%2029%20%20206%207.1%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cahref="http: onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/iowa/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/wahlin_kamille00.html"="">Kamille Wahlin's Freshman Campaign in 2008-09="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cstrong%3EGP/GS%20%20%20%20FG-FGA%20%203-Ptrs%20%20FT-FTA%20%20RB%20%20AS%20%20ST%20%20PTS%20AVG%3C/strong%3E24/6%20%20%20%2059-126%20%2015-39%20%20%2024-33%20%20%2067%20%2059%20%2018%20%20157%206.5%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cstrong%3E%3Cem%3EIOWA%20FAST%20BREAKS%3C/em%3E%3C/strong%3E%3Cbr%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20?%20Senior%20%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=3343" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/vanderpol_nicole00.html">Nicole VanderPol will not play the rest of the year, due to injury. VanderPol only played in the first two games of the season.
? Kristi Smith ranks 27th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (.415), while Megan Skouby ranks 34th in free throw percentage (.847). As a team, Iowa ranks sixth in free throw percentage (.791) and 30th in assists (16.8).
? Iowa's only win this season when trailing at the half is against Penn State. The Hawkeyes were behind by two (36-34) at intermission. Also, Iowa rallied from 12 points down in the first half against the Lady Lions, which is Iowa's biggest deficit in a win this season.
? Iowa is 135-18 when leading at the half in nine years under Coach Bluder, including 14-1 this season. The Hawkeyes are 113-26 when holding opponents to 69 points or less, including a 55-4 mark when opponents score 59 points or less.
? Iowa's 12 blocks at Drake (Dec. 20) tied the school single-game record previously set vs. UC Santa Barbara in 1995.
? Iowa played seven non-conference games against teams from a major conference: Big East (Providence and South Florida), Pac-10 (California), ACC (Duke), Big 12 (Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State).
? Megan Skouby tied a Paradise Jam tournament game record with four blocked shots against Texas Tech (11/27/08). Additionally, she blocked a career-high six shots at Purdue (1/8/09).
? Iowa boasted a +21.3 scoring margin in its three wins over in-state competition. The Hawkeyes dropped Iowa State by 20, Northern Iowa by 26 and Drake by 18.
? Iowa's loss to South Florida was its first overtime loss since falling 80-78 to Minnesota (Jan. 25, 2007) in Iowa City.
? Iowa is 3-0 in bus trips this season (Drake, Wisconsin and Illinois). The Hawkeyes have one bus trip remaining (at Northwestern).

AUSDEMORE IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Wendy Ausdemore, a senior, has her name all over the Hawkeye record books for 3-point shooting. The native of Neola, IA, is 206-507 (.406) from long distance. Ausdemore’s career shooting accuracy from beyond the arc currently ranks second in the Big Ten and first in Hawkeye record books. Former Ohio State Buckeye Caity Matter (270-657, .411) ranks first, while former Hawkeye Lindsey Meder (261-644, .405) is third. Ausdemore’s 206 treys ranks second in Iowa annals behind Meder’s 261. Last season, Ausdemore was 78-171 (.456), with her percentage ranking third in the nation, and first among players with over 150 attempts. Also, Ausdemore made a school-best 62 triples as a sophomore and 78 as a junior.

SIMILARITIES
Coach Bluder sees similarities between this season’s senior and freshman classes. This year’s senior class was asked, in 2005-06, to step-up and make an immediate impact when they were freshmen. Iowa’s freshman class this year will, again, be asked to provide depth and will likely play a pivotal role in the team’s success.

HAWKEYES RANK WELL IN BIG TEN STATISTICS
The Iowa Hawkeyes rank first in seven statistical Big Ten games only categories: scoring (69.1), free throw percentage (.782), field goal percentage (.434), 3-pointers made (7.0), 3-point field goal percentage (.387), assist/turnover ratio (1.14) and assists (16.77). Individually, Kachine Alexander ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (1.56) and assists (4.69), and third in rebounding (9.7) and defeinsive rebounding (7.15). Kristi Smith ranks first in 3-pointers made (2.62), second in 3-point field goal percentage (.436), and fourth in minutes played (37.0) and scoring (15.2). Megan Skouby rates sixth in blocked shots (1.69) and ninth in field goal percentage (.457). Kamille Wahlin ranks first in assist/turnover ratio (2.16), eighth in field goal percentage (.459) and 10th in assists (3.15).

PRE-SEASON RANKINGS
Iowa has been picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten by the league coaches and fifth by a selected media panel. The coaches picked Purdue to win the conference, while the media selected Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won outright, or shared, the last four regular season conference titles. Ohio State sophomore Jantel Lavender was selected as the pre-season Player of the Year by both voting groups.

TRIFECTA
Iowa has three seniors who have reached the 1,200-point plateau. Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith became the first senior trio at Iowa to eclipse 1,000 points. The 1998 senior duo of Tangela Smith and Tiffany Gooden reached the milestone, the 1990 tandem of Franthea Price and Jolette Law accomplished the feat, and the 1987 duo of Lisa Becker and Lisa Long both tallied 1,000 points. The Hawkeyes are the only Big Ten team with three 1,200-point scorers on their current roster. Skouby and Smith accomplished the feat last season as juniors, while Ausdemore topped 1,000 points early this season. Ausdemore netted a game-high 21 points in an overtime loss to South Florida (Nov. 28, 2008). The native of Neola, IA, reached 1,000 points in 97 games. Skouby scored six points at No. 20 Ohio State (Feb. 21, 2008) to become the 24th Hawkeye to amass 1,000 career points. Skouby, who is a native of Mentor, OH, accomplished the feat in only 82 games and she did so in front of family and friends. Smith netted 19 points vs. Purdue (March 8, 2008) to become the 25th Iowa player to tally 1,000 points. The Thornton, CO, native accomplished the feat in 90 contests.

“HAWK TALK WITH Lisa Bluder”
Catch “Hawk Talk with Lisa Bluder”, the radio call-in program Monday night featuring Iowa Hawkeye Women’s Head Coach Lisa Bluder, on KXIC-AM 800 in Iowa City, WHO-AM 1040 in Des Moines and WMT-AM 600 in Cedar Rapids from 7:30-8:30 p.m. 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 east side of Iowa City.

BLOGGING
Iowa Hawkeye fans will be treated once again to behind-the-scenes information this season as senior Wendy Ausdemore, and sophomore Kelsey Cermak and freshman Hannah Draxten will have their own blogs, which will be posted on hawkeyesports.com. The trio will share their thoughts on practices, games, road trips, and everything else surrounding the program. Additionally, fans will be able to watch behind-the-scenes clips of the team with Lindsey Nyenhuis’ video blog.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT ALL-SESSION TICKETS ON SALE
Make sure you have the best seats to cheer on the Hawkeyes at the 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis at Conseco Fieldhouse March 5-8. Secure the best seats available by contacting the UI Athletic Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS. All-session tickets are on sale for $65. The Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will call Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse home through 2012. Indianapolis has staged 13 of the 14 previous women’s tournaments. The 2009 tournament features all 11 Big Ten teams in action, competing in 10 games over four days to crown the 2009 champion and earn the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Six different conference representatives have won the tournament championship. Reigning Big Ten Tournament Champion Purdue leads all teams with seven titles, followed by two championships for both Iowa and Penn State and one title each for Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State. The 2009 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament bracket, along with information on tickets, travel, lodging, tournament history and more, can be found at bigten.org and indianasportscorp.com.

UI TO HOST NCAA TOURNAMENT GAMES IN 2009
The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena will serve as one of 16 first and second round hosts for the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Games will take place Sunday, March 22 (6 p.m./8:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 24, 2009 (8:30 p.m.). Adult tickets prices are $28 for the three tournament games and $18 for students and senior citizens if they purchase their tickets over the phone or at the UI Ticket Office. The two ticket prices are $31 and $21, respectively, if purchased on the Internet. The UI Department of Athletics first hosted an NCAA Championship site in 1986 when it served as one of four regional final sites. Carver-Hawkeye Arena has hosted NCAA Women’s Championship games 11 years (1986-90, 92-94, 96-98). The UI and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have entertained the regional finals four times and first and/or second rounds nine times. The NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1994. The last time Iowa City hosted a first and second round site was in 1998. Iowa defeated Massachusetts in the first round, but lost to Kansas in the second round. The Hawkeyes boast a 9-4 record in NCAA Championship games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa returns home to host the Wisconsin Badgers next Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

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