Feb. 26, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Iowa’s 69-56 win tonight coupled with Michigan State’s home loss to Minnesota moved the Hawkeyes’ into a third-place tie with Michigan State with one game remaining.
Iowa improves to 44-16 all-time against Illinois after tonight’s victory. Also, Iowa improves to 23-5 against the Fighting Illini in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have now won 41 of the last 48 meetings against Illinois, including nine of the last 10.
Iowa is peaking at the right time, having won 11 of its last 13 games.
Iowa finished the regular season 13-1 in home games. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have won 20 of its last 21 home games, dating back to last season.
Tonight was Iowa’s “Senior Night”. The Hawkeyes paid tribute to five outstanding seniors after the contest: Wendy Ausdemore, Kristi Smith, Lindsey Nyenhuis, Nicole VanderPol and Megan Skouby.
All 12 players saw action tonight for Iowa, including senior Nicole VanderPol who say a few seconds late in the game. VanderPol has been sidelined with an injury since the second game of the year.
Kachine Alexander and Kamille Wahlin were Iowa’s leading scorers tonight, each scoring 13 points. Alexander also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for her team-leading seventh double-double.
Kristi Smith dished out a game-high six assists, to go along with her nine points. Kachine Alexander added five assists tonight. The Hawkeyes improve to 10-0 when she collected five assists or more.
The Hawkeyes posted a season low in turnovers tonight, only recording four turnovers. The previous low was eight, at Illinois earlier this season.
Iowa outrebounded Illinois by nine tonight (38-29).
Iowa, who ranks fourth in the nation in free throw shooting, made 15-17 (.882) from the charity stripe. Illinois also shot well, 7-9 (.778).
Iowa’s bench outscored Illinois reserves 16-3.
The Hawkeyes assisted on 18 of its 24 field goals.
The Hawkeyes close out the regular season on the road at Northwestern on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena.