Hawkeyes, Buckeyes to Battle in B1G Semifinals

March 7, 2014

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Iowa Game Notes: B1G Semifinals

THE SETTING:
The 23rd-ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team (25-7, 11-5) faces Ohio State (17-17, 5-11) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday. Tip-off for the first semifinal contest of the day between the Hawkeyes (No. 5 seed) and the Buckeyes (No. 8 seed) inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT) on BTN. Iowa defeated No. 4 seed and 16th-ranked Purdue in the quarterfinals on Friday, 87-80, while Ohio State defeated top-seeded and 11th-ranked Penn State, 99-82.

WATCH LIVE ON BIG TEN NETWORK:
Saturday’s contest will be televised nationally on BTN (BTN2GO). Eric Collins, Stephanie White and Lisa Byington will call the action. The contest marks Iowa’s 12th on the Network this season. Iowa is 11-0 this year when playing on BTN. The Big Ten Network will televise each game on the first three days of the tournament. ESPN will televise Sunday’s championship game.

AUDIO COVERAGE:
Brent Balbinot and Kristi Faulkner will call the action for the Hawkeye Radio Network. Hawkeye fans can listen to the contest on the Hawkeye Radio Network (AM-800 KXIC in Iowa City, AM-1360 KMJM in Cedar Rapids, AM-1040 WHO in Des Moines) or on the Hawkeye All-Access page of hawkeyesports.com. Balbinot is in his 10th season as Iowa’s play-by-play voice. Faulkner, a former Hawkeye, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.

FOLLOW THE ACTION:
Fans can also follow the action via live stats (Gametracker). The “GT” link can be accessed under the “Calendar” tab on the front page of hawkeyesports.com or on the women’s basketball schedule page. Follow @IowaWBB on Twitter for game updates.

LOGIC, DOOLITTLE, DISTERHOFT EARN ALL-BIG TEN HONORS:
Three University of Iowa women’s basketball players — Samantha Logic, Bethany Doolittle, and Ally Disterhoft — received All-Big Ten recognition. Logic was a unanimous first team selection by the coaches, and a first team selection by the media. Doolittle garnered second team honors from both the coaches and media, and was named to the All-Defensive team. Disterhoft was one of five league rookies named to the All-Freshman team, while also garnering honorable mention all-league accolades. Senior Theairra Taylor earned Iowa’s Sportsmanship Award nomination. Logic becomes the 18th Iowa player to garner first-team All-Big Ten honors, marking the most of any Big Ten program. Kachine Alexander was the last Hawkeye to earn first team honors (2010, 2011).

MOST WINS SINCE 1995-96:
Iowa defeated Illinois inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Feb. 13 (69-55), earning its 20th win of the season and becoming the first Big Ten team to reach the mark. The Hawkeyes have won 20 games or more in a season eight times under Lisa Bluder, including six of the last seven seasons (Iowa finished 19-12 in 2011-12). Dating back to the 1984-85 season, Iowa has reached the 20-win mark 18 times. Iowa won its 20th game this season in its 26th contest, marking the fastest year to 20 wins under Bluder, and fastest since the 1995-96 season. That year, the Hawkeyes won their 20th in their 21st game under head coach Angie Lee. Iowa started 20-1 and finished 27-4 while advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. Iowa’s 25 wins mark the highest total under UI head coach Lisa Bluder, and the highest since Iowa finished 27-4 in 1995-96.

NCAA STREAK LEADS THE BIG TEN:
Iowa is the only Big Ten team, and one of only 13 teams in the country, to have appeared in the last six NCAA Tournaments.

HAWKEYES DOWN NO. 16 PURDUE IN QUARTERFINALS:
? No. 23 Iowa downed No. 16 Purdue, 87-80, in the quarterfinals on Friday in the 4/5 matchup.
? Iowa leads the Big Ten in overall victories (25).
? The Hawkeyes have won five straight, 11-of-13, and 13-of-16 since starting 0-2 in league play.
? Senior Theairra Taylor finished with 17 points. She has scored in double figures in 14 of the last 17 games.
? All five Iowa starters finished in double figures during the win over Purdue (Dixon 18, Taylor 17, Doolittle 16, Logic 12, Disterhoft 12).
? Junior point guard Samantha Logic notched her 11th double-double of the season, and 23rd of her career (12 points, 11 assists). She also notched her 17th career double-digit assist performance, the most in program history.
? Iowa finished 22-of-24 from the free throw line (91.7%), out-rebounded Purdue (36-34), and scored 32 points off 20 Purdue turnovers.

IOWA DEFEATS ILLINOIS IN FIRST ROUND:
? Iowa defeated Illinois in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on March 5, 81-62.
? Junior center Bethany Doolittle finished with a career-best 26 points. Iowa’s record for most points in a Big Ten Tournament game is 28 by Tangela Smith (1998 vs. Ohio State
? Freshman Ally Disterhoft posted her third double-double of the season (14 points and 12 rebounds).
? This season marks the third time that Iowa has had a rematch in the Big Ten Tournament against its opponent in the regular season finale, and the second time it has happened against Illinois. In 1996, Iowa defeated Illinois (73-55) to close the regular season and knocked off the Fighting Illini (74-56) in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Last season, Iowa finished the regular season with a win over Northwestern (62-45), and opened the Big Ten Tournament with a win over the Wildcats in the first round (60-55).

B1G TOURNAMENT NOTES:
? Iowa defeated Ohio State twice during the regular season.
? Saturday’s contest marks the second time in this year’s Big Ten Tournament that Iowa has to play a team it swept during the regular season (Illinois, Ohio State).
? Iowa advances to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2010. The Hawkeyes advanced to the semifinals for three-straight years from 2008-10.
? Iowa also advanced to the semifinals in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, and 2003.
? The Hawkeyes are 1-2 all-time against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament, and 3-5 all-time in the semifinals.
? Iowa and Ohio State last met in the Big Ten Tournament in 2011 in Indianapolis; the Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes in the quarterfinals, 71-61.
? Iowa dropped a 66-64 decision to Ohio State in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament title game.
? Iowa is 19-17 overall in the Big Ten Tournament, which includes championships in 1997 and 2001 (Lisa Bluder’s first season).
? Iowa is one of four league schools (Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State) with two or more tournament titles. Purdue, Ohio State, and Penn State are the only schools with more wins in tournament history.
? Iowa has been the No. 5 seed once in tournament history, falling to Michigan State in the quarterfinals in 2006.
? Coach Bluder holds a 13-12 record in Big Ten Tournament games; only four league coaches have won more tournament games in the history of the tournament.
? No. 5 seeds have a combined record of 19-16 in the Big Ten Tournament. Three No. 5 seeds have won the tournament, the last coming in 2011 (Ohio State).
? Iowa (No. 9 seed) defeated Minnesota (No. 8 seed), 57-44, in the first ever Big Ten Tournament game in 1995.

ROAD WARRIORS:
The Hawkeyes finished 6-2 in Big Ten road games this season, with both losses coming by a combined three points. Iowa dropped its league opener at then-undefeated Indiana (86-84) on Jan. 2, and fell at No. 23 Purdue on Feb. 16, 74-73. Overall, Iowa is 12-4 away from Iowa City this season: 7-4 in true road games, and 5-0 in neutral site contests. The Hawkeyes’ two nonconference road losses came against top-25 teams (No. 16 Colorado, No. 11 Iowa State).

MOST TRIPLE-DOUBLES IN A SINGLE SEASON:
Junior Samantha Logic has notched three triple-doubles this season, becoming the first Big Ten player to record three triple-doubles in a single season. The point guard is second nationally; Alyssa Thomas of Maryland has four this season. Entering the 2013-14 campaign, there had only been 11 seasons in NCAA history in which a player registered three or more triple-doubles. Nicole Powell of Stanford tallied five in 2002, Tasha Pointer of Rutgers notched four in 2001, and nine other players registered three. Logic has four career triple-doubles, the second most in Big Ten history, and the most while competing in the Big Ten. The total equals the seventh-highest total in NCAA history (Suzie McConnell, Penn State 7; Louella Tomlinson, St. Mary’s (CA) 7; Nicole Powell, Stanford 6; Joskeen Garner, Northwestern St. 5; Brittney Griner, Baylor 5; Shalee Lehning, Kansas State 5).

A NEW ALL-TIME ASSISTS LEADER:
Junior Samantha Logic (594 career assists) surpassed Cara Consuegra (1997-2001; 576) as Iowa’s all-time assists leader during the team’s win at Illinois on March 2 in the regular season finale. She finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Logic surpassed Stephanie White (Purdue) and Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota) for ninth in league history (578) during Iowa’s opening round win over Illinois. Ohio State’s Samantha Parahalis is first in league history with 901 career assists. Logic has 241 assists this season, setting a new school record. She topped her own mark of 217 set last season.

LOGIC BECOMES IOWA’S 31ST 1,000-POINT SCORER:
Junior guard Samantha Logic notched a game-high 19 points in Iowa’s win at Michigan on Feb. 22, becoming the 31st 1,000-point scorer in program history.

DAILY DOUBLE:
Four Hawkeyes have combined to register 16 double-doubles this season: Samantha Logic (11), Ally Disterhoft (three), Kali Peschel (one), and Bethany Doolittle (one). Logic is fifth in the Big Ten with 11 double-doubles this season. She has notched the second-most in league play (seven). Logic has 23 career double-doubles, the second most among active Big Ten players (Jordan Hooper – 36).

SCOUTING OHIO STATE:
? Ohio State is 17-17 overall and 5-11 in conference play.
? The Buckeyes are 5-10 away from home this season.
? Ameryst Alston, who leads the Buckeyes in scoring (18.5/game), is averaging 31.5 points in two Big Ten Tournament games.
? Ohio State is coached by Kevin McGuff. He is in his first season at the helm of the program. McGuff completed his 11th year as a head coach in 2013, with the last two at the University of Washington and the previous nine at Xavier University. He has compiled an overall record of 267-107 and has reached the postseason each year.

IOWA-OHIO STATE SERIES NOTES:
? Iowa swept the season series this year against Ohio State (two or more games) for the first time since 1997-98. The Hawkeyes won in Columbus on Jan. 19, 81-74, and in Iowa City on Feb. 27, 65-61
? The Buckeyes lead the all-time series, 30-29.
? Iowa and Ohio State have met once during the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes topped the Hawkeyes, 73-72, in overtime at the 1993 NCAA Final Four.

TAYLOR LEADS IOWA TO VICTORY OVER OHIO STATE ON SENIOR NIGHT:
Iowa’s lone senior Theairra Taylor led the Hawkeyes to a 65-61 victory over Ohio State on Feb. 27 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Senior Night. Taylor posted a season-high and game-high 21 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. She scored 10 points in the final 11:41 (Iowa trailed by seven with 11:41 left), and tallied Iowa’s final four points to seal the win.

A B1G WIN IN COLUMBUS:
The Hawkeyes (2-1 on the road in B1G games) are coming off an 81-74 win at Ohio State on Jan. 19 in their last road contest. Iowa never trailed on its way to its first win in Columbus since 1998. Five players (Disterhoft 24, Dixon 16, Doolittle 14, Taylor 11, Kastanek 10) scored in double figures. Iowa finished 17-of-19 (89.5%) from the foul line and 8-of-17 from 3-point-range (47.1%), while out-rebounding the Buckeyes (32-31). Four Hawkeyes (Disterhoft, Dixon, Taylor, Kastanek) tallied two 3-point field goals.

IN THE RANKINGS:
The Hawkeyes are ranked 23rd in the AP Top 25 poll, and have been ranked as high as No. 21/24 this season. Five Iowa opponents are ranked in the latest Associated Press/USA Today polls: Penn State (11/11), Nebraska (16/15), Purdue (17/16), Michigan State (19/23), and Iowa State (RV/21). In addition, Syracuse and Dayton are receiving votes.

DISTERHOFT SHINES IN FIRST CAREER START(S):
Freshman Ally Disterhoft posted a double-double in her first career start at Ohio State on Jan. 19 (24 points, 10 rebounds, 12-of-12 from the line). She finished 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final 28 seconds. Her 12-for-12 mark from the line marks the third-best total (when shooting 100%) in the league this season, and the best performance from the line in conference only action. It also tied the program record for most free throws made (when making 100%) during a Big Ten game. Disterhoft has started the last 13 games (the first starts of her career), and Iowa is 11-2 (5-1 on the road). She is second on the team in scoring during the stretch, averaging 14.3 points per contest, and has scored in double figures 11 times.

FUN FACTS:
? Iowa leads the Big Ten in overall victories (25).
? Iowa, the Big Ten leader in assists/game (18.3) and assist/turnover ratio (1.3), is 23-1 when tallying as many or more assists than its opponents, and 18-3 when registering fewer turnovers.
? The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in scoring (78.8 points/game), averaging three more points than the second-highest average.
? Iowa is 21-1 when leading at the half.
? The Hawkeyes are 21-1 when holding their opponents to less than 80 points.
? Iowa is 10-1 when shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range, 12-1 when grabbing more rebounds, and 12-1 when shooting 80 percent or better from the free throw line.
? The Hawkeyes are 7-4 in road games this season and 12-4 overall away from Iowa City. Iowa is 6-2 in Big Ten road games, and 8-2 against Big Ten opponents away from Iowa City.

BALANCED ATTACK:
Five Hawkeyes are averaging double figures: Bethany Doolittle (14.3), Samantha Logic (13.7), Melissa Dixon (13.4), Ally Disterhoft (12.8), and Theairra Taylor (12.1). Iowa is the only Big Ten team with five players averaging double figures. Iowa has had three or more players score in double figures in each of the last 31 contests, including all five starters in the win over Purdue in the quarterfinals (Dixon 18, Taylor 17, Doolittle 16, Disterhoft 12, Logic 12). The only game this season in which Iowa has not had three or more in double figures came in the season-opening win over UC Riverside (70-65) on Nov. 8. Samantha Logic scored 28 points, and four other Hawkeyes scored seven or more points. Iowa is the only Big Ten team with three players averaging 13.2 or more points per game (Doolittle – 14.3, Logic – 13.7, Dixon – 13.4).

MOVING UP CAREER CHARTS:
? Samantha Logic (594 career assists) surpassed Cara Consuegra (1997-2001; 576) as Iowa’s all-time assists leader during Iowa’s win at Illinois on March 2 in the regular season finale. She ranks ninth in Big Ten history.
? Melissa Dixon is fifth in 3-pointers on Iowa’s all-time list (199). She surpassed Kristi Smith during Iowa’s game at Purdue on Feb. 16. Wendy Ausdemore is fourth all-time with 221.
? Bethany Doolittle is third all-time with 178 career blocks. She surpassed Megan Skouby who is now fourth with 150, during Iowa’s game against Nebraska on Feb. 1. Tangela Smith is second with 235.

HAWKEYES CONTINUE TREND AGAINST RANKED FOES:
? Iowa is 4-5 this season against ranked opponents:
– W vs. No. 14 Dayton (97-93 in overtime) – Nov. 10
– L at No. 16 Colorado (90-87) – Nov. 20
– W vs. No. 22 Syracuse (97-91) – Dec. 5
– L at No. 11 Iowa State (83-70) – Dec. 12
– L vs. No. 15 Penn State (87-71) – Jan. 5
– L vs. No. 23 Nebraska (80-67) – Feb. 1
– W at No. 9 Penn State (73-70) – Feb. 6
– L at No. 23 Purdue (74-73) – Feb. 16
– W vs. No. 16 Purdue (87-80) – March 7
? The Hawkeyes have defeated 11 top-25 opponents since the start of last season (11-9 record).
? The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one win against a top-25 team in all but two seasons under Bluder. In nine of those seasons, Iowa has knocked off at least one top-15 opponent.
? This year marked the seventh time in school history that Iowa played at least three ranked teams prior to conference action. Iowa faced five ranked opponents in 1990 (2-3 record) and three in 2012 (3-0), 1999 (0-3), 1995 (2-1), 1993 (3-0), and 1989 (1-2).
? Last season marked just the second time in school history that Iowa defeated three ranked teams prior to Big Ten play (No. 12 West Virginia, No. 22 Iowa State, No. 20 Texas). The only other time Iowa defeated three ranked opponents was in 1993 (No. 4 Louisiana Tech, No. 20 Missouri State, No. 9 Southern California).
? Iowa tied the school record for number of wins over ranked teams in a season last year with seven. The Hawkeyes have accomplished the feat three other times (1995-96, 1993-94, 1992-93). Iowa faced 11 ranked teams last season, which tied for the most games against ranked opponents in a season. The only other time Iowa played 11 ranked teams in a season was in 1992-93 (7-4 record).

IOWA HISTORY:
Iowa has played 1,164 games since beginning basketball in 1974. Iowa’s overall record is 717-447 (.613). That includes a 359-183 (.660) mark in regular season Big Ten contests and a 348-100 (.776) mark in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

NCAA 1ST AND 2ND ROUND TICKETS ON SALE:
Tickets for the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds, hosted by the University of Iowa, are now on sale for UI women’s basketball season ticket holders and the general public. Iowa’s First and Second Round Games will be played Sunday, March 23 (4:30 and 7 p.m.) and Tuesday, March 25 (8:30 p.m.). The UI was one of 16 sites chosen to host First and Second Round Games, and 1-of-8 chosen to host in back-to-back years. Fans can order tickets by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS, visiting the Carver-Hawkeye Arena ticket office, or by visiting hawkeyesports.com.

FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES:
Check out the Iowa women’s basketball Facebook page (/iowawomenshoops) or the University of Iowa Athletics Facebook page. Fans can also follow @IowaWBB or @TheIowaHawkeyes on Twitter.