Feb. 22, 2009
Iowa beat Michigan today 68-64 today at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. The Hawkeyes led start-to-finish, leading by as many as 16 points in the second half. Iowa has now won 10 of its last 12 games. The Hawkeyes have won five road games this year, four of which have come in the Big Ten.
Michigan has now lost its 10th game by eight points or less this season.
Iowa has won 12 of the last 13 against Michigan, including four of the last five contests played in Crisler Arena.
Iowa led 31-20 at intermission. The Hawkeyes improves to 15-1 when leading at halftime.
Iowa’s three seniors of Megan Skouby, Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore combined for 40 points today and are now only six points from becoming the highest scoring trio from one class in Big Ten history. Purdue’s 1988 senior trio of Sharon Versyp, Christa LaCroix and Lisa Jahner previously held the record with 4,063 combined points.
Wendy Ausdemore scored 12 of her game-high 19 points in the first half. Ausdemore shot 7-12 from the field, including 3-6 from distance. The senior made two huge buckets with under five minutes remaining when Michigan made a push.
Also scoring in double figures tonight for Iowa was Kristi Smith (13). Smith also grabbed a season-high seven rebounds.
Kachine Alexander dished out a team-high five assists. Iowa improves to 9-0 when the sophomore collects five assists or more.
Michigan senior Carly Benson netted 14 of her 17 points in the second stanza. Also scoring in double figures for the Wolverines was sophomore Veronica Hicks (16) and Melinda Queen (11).
Iowa out-rebounded Michigan 50-32 tonight. Iowa allowed only seven offensive boards and four second-chance points. Three Hawkeyes pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Black and Gold: Kachine Alexander, Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby.
Michigan cut Iowa’s lead to six (33-27) early in the second half, but the Hawkeyes answered with a 12-2 run to build a 16-point advantage (47-31) with 12 minutes left in the contest. Michigan would not go away, as it rattled off seven-straight points to pull within 47-38 midway through the second stanza.
Iowa scored the game’s first eight points on a Kamille Wahlin jumper and 3-pointers by Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore. Iowa had command of the entire first half, taking a 31-20 advantage into the locker room at half.
Today was Michigan’s “Senior Day”. The Wolverines recognized their five seniors after the game.
Iowa returns to action Thursday for its regular-season home finale when it hosts Illinois. Tip-off is slated for 8:06 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be televised live to a national cable audience on the Big Ten Network (HD). Thursday will be Iowa’s “Senior Night” as the Hawkeyes will recognize their five outstanding senior class.