Time To Get On The Soap Box

Do you want to tell everyone what you think of the MSHSL Transfer Policy? Or the run time rule? How about your thoughts about AAU/Spring - Summer Programs? Do you just want everyone to know about your team/program?

Well personally I know there are a lot of folks out there that have something to say on at least one of these ideas if not others as well. I know this because everyday when I walk into a gym there will be at least 2 parents, players, coaches, or referee's offer up a thought or two.

Well now is your chance to ask the questions, share your ideas, or just offer your take on things. You never know who is going to be there and give you an answer, or has the same thoughts you do.

CommunityHoops.com will host an open forum for everyone on Saturday Feb. 14th from 10:30am until no later then 4:30pm. at the Southdale Library (7001 york ave south in edina)

Here is the chance for fans, parents, players, coaches, and administrators to come and talk about anything related to women's basketball. All comments, provided they are clean and do not "unnecessarily" attack someone, will be posted as part of the podcast for this event., If more show up then the room will hold there will be time taken to rotate everyone in and out of the room so all that came to take part can. No admission fee - and no snacks will be served. If you wish to reserve some open mic time before Saturday, e-mail Tony at event@communityhoops.com.

Minnesota Gophers vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Hawkeyes Travel to Penn State Sunday

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.

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 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 recorded her second triple-double of the season vs. Penn State Feb. 1. Alexander had 10 assists and career highs in points (26) and rebounds (21).

• Four Hawkeyes average double figures in games against Penn State. Kamille Wahlin tallied 18 points and seven rebounds in her first career game vs. the Lady Lions two weeks ago. Senior Kristi Smith averages 16.5 points and has missed only two free throws (18-20, .900) in six starts vs. Penn State. Sophomore Kachine Alexander averages a double-double (13 points and 12 rebounds) in two games vs. Penn State. 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 21 points at Minnesota. Skouby, who has 1,364 points, will likely finish her career eighth in career scoring. Tangela Smith ranks seventh with 1,598 points. Also, Skouby will finish her career second in blocks (148). Smith, who is first, has 87 more blocks than Skouby.

• Kristi Smith cracked the top 10 career scoring chart with her totals from Sunday’s road game at Minnesota. Smith surpassed Amy Herrig Sunday and then passed Lisa Becker for ninth Thursday night vs. Ohio State. The senior has 1,346 career points, 18 points behind teammate 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 games.

• Kamille Wahlin 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.

• Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 41 through 23 games this season. Her single-season best is 47 rejections, which she accomplished her freshman campaign. Her 41 blocks this season rank fourth-best in a single-season for an Iowa senior.

• Wendy Ausdemore’s 13 points on Sunday increased her career scoring total to 1,211. The Hawkeyes now have three seniors (Ausdemore, Smith and Skouby) who have over 1,200 career points.

• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks sixth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.5 per contest.

• Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 18 times this year, including the last 10 contests.

• Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 19 times this season. 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 more in a season was Jenee Graham (11), during the 2006-07 season.

• Iowa has an RPI rating of 32nd in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 19th. Iowa has five wins over teams ranked in the RPI top-50, including two ranked in the top 25. Penn State is rated 99th in the RPI and 25th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 13.

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.

• 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.

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.

Minneapolis North vs. Wayzata

Minnesota Gophers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Hawkeyes and Buckeyes Clash Thursday Night in Iowa City

THE SETTING

Thursday night pits last year’s co-Big Ten champions against each other for the first time this season. The Iowa Hawkeyes (14-9, 7-5) will entertain No. 18 Ohio State (19-4, 10-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST) in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students are admitted free. Thursday will likely be Iowa’s last game of the regular season against a ranked opponent. Both Iowa and Ohio State are coming off road losses Sunday. The Buckeyes suffered only their second Big Ten defeat at Michigan State, while the Hawkeyes had their fifth conference loss at Minnesota.

HOME SWEET HOME

Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years. Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 17 of its last 18 home games. Iowa boasts a 10-1 home record this season. Purdue snapped Iowa’s 12-game winning streak with a 69-60 win Dec. 28 in Iowa City.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the only ranked Big Ten team in the two major polls. Ohio State is leading the Big Ten standings by one-half game over second-place Michigan State. Michigan State toppled Ohio State, 52-46, Sunday in East Lansing, MI. The Spartans led start-to-finish, limiting the Buckeyes to a season-low 46 points. The Buckeyes shot only 1-14 (.071) from distance and had only one player score in double figures. Ohio State sophomore center Jantel Lavender led all scorers with 19 points (8-20 FG, 3-4 FT) and had a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman point guard Samantha Prahalis had a game-high five steals and also contributed five points and three rebounds in defeat. Lavender is the defending Big Ten Player of the Year and currently ranks first in Big Ten scoring (21.0) and rebounding (10.8). Prahalis is the leading candidate for Big Ten Freshman of the Year leading the league in assists (5.65), ranking eighth in steals (1.83) and 25th in scoring (9.6). The Buckeyes rank first in Big Ten scoring defense (54.3) and scoring margin (+12.7), second in scoring offense (67.0), free throw percentage (.758), field goal percentage (.430), rebounds allowed (33.9) and rebounding margin (+5.9). Ohio State is 6-2 in road games this season and 13-2 in home contests. Thursday will be the Buckeyes’ second-straight road contest. Additionally, Ohio State is in the middle of a stretch in which it plays four of five on the road. Jim Foster is in his 31st season (675-270, .714) as a head coach, including seven years on the Buckeye sidelines (171-45, .792).

ALL-TIME SERIES

Thursday will be the 50th meeting between Iowa and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes owning a slim, 25-24, edge. Iowa has a 15-8 advantage over Ohio State in games played in Iowa City. The Buckeyes have won the last 10, in the series, and 11 of the last 12. Iowa’s last victory (70-65) over Ohio State came on Jan. 20, 2002, in Iowa City.

IOWA, OHIO STATE NOTES

• 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 13-1 when leading at halftime this season.

• Ashlee Trebilcock had an amazing game against the Hawkeyes in last year’s meeting in Iowa City. Trebilcock tallied 25 points on 9-14 shooting from the field, including 2-5 from distance, and 5-6 from the free throw line. Also, in last year’s game at Columbus, Trebilcock shared game-high scoring honors with Jantel Lavender (18 points).

• Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith have had solid outings in games against Ohio State. Skouby has made 12-13 (.923) from the foul line and averages 12.4 points in six career contests vs. the Buckeyes. Smith averages 13.7 points and 4.7 assists.

• Megan Skouby surpassed Lisa Becker for eighth place in Iowa’s career scoring after totaling 21 points at Minnesota. Skouby, who has 1,355 points, will likely finish her career eighth in career scoring. Tangela Smith ranks seventh with 1,598 points. Also, Skouby will likely finish her career second in blocks (148). Smith, who is first, has 87 more blocks than Skouby.

• Kristi Smith cracked the top ten career scoring chart with her totals from Sunday’s road game. Smith surpassed Amy Herrig and leaped into 10th place with 1,326 points. She is only nine points from tying Lisa Becker for ninth.

• Kamille Wahlin ranks second in assists (3.0), and fifth in field goal percentage (.437), and sixth in scoring (7.1), amongst Big Ten freshmen, in conference games only. Additionally, she ranks first among all Big Ten players in assist/turnover ratio (2.12) and 12th in assists (3.0), in league games only.

• Last season, Megan Skouby blocked 23 shots in 32 games; she already has amassed 41 through 23 games this season. Her single-season best is 47 rejections, which she accomplished her freshman campaign. Her 41 blocks this season rank fourth-best in a single-season for an Iowa senior.

• Kachine Alexander, who stands 5-9, leads the team and ranks sixth in Big Ten rebounding, pulling down 8.3 per contest.

• Iowa players have corralled double-digit rebounds 18 times this season. Kachine Alexander has accomplished the feat a team-best nine times, JoAnn Hamlin six times, Wendy Ausdemore twice and Megan Skouby once.

• Kristi Smith has reached double figures a team-best 17 times this year, including the last nine contests.

• Wendy Ausdemore’s 13 points on Sunday increased her career scoring total to 1,211. The Hawkeyes now have three seniors (Ausdemore, Smith and Skouby) who have over 1,200 career points.

• Iowa has an RPI rating of 36th in the country and strength of schedule that ranks 23rd. Ohio State is rated 12th in the RPI and 19th in strength of schedule. The numbers are based on the report published Feb. 10.

MINNESOTA RALLIES TO BEAT IOWA

Minnesota outscored Iowa 15-2 the last four minutes of the game to overcome a seven-point deficit and win 64-58 Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, MN.

With Iowa leading by six (56-50), Minnesota center Ashley Ellis-Milan sank her first triple of the year to close the deficit to three. On their next offensive possession, Ellis-Milan scored a traditional 3-point play to even the contest at 56-56. Both teams then exchanged buckets before the Golden Gophers secured the victory by scoring the game’s final six points.

Iowa’s Megan Skouby posted game highs in scoring (21 points) and rebounding (11 boards). It marked Skouby’s first career double-double and the 11 rebounds were a personal best. Wendy Ausdemore contributed 14 points, while Kristi Smith added 13.

Ellis-Milan tallied 21 points and seven rebounds, while Kiara Buford netted 10 points off the bench. Iowa held Minnesota’s leading scorer, Emily Fox, to only five points (2-14 FG).

Iowa shot the ball well in the first half, 12-24 (.500) from the field and 5-11 (.455) from 3-point range. However, the Hawkeyes missed all nine 3-point attempts and was only 12-31 (.387) overall from the field in the final 20 minutes.

Iowa and Minnesota to Clash on Sunday

THE SETTING

The Iowa Hawkeyes (14-8, 7-4) travel to Minneapolis, MN, this weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-6, 8-3).  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:06 p.m. in Williams Arena.  Iowa enters Sunday’s clash winners of six of its last seven games, while Minnesota has won five of its last six.  Minnesota is in third place in the Big Ten standings, while Iowa is in sixth.  The Hawkeyes are only one-half game behind fourth-place teams Purdue and Indiana and one full game behind the third-place Golden Gophers.

 

SCOUTING MINNESOTA

Beginning Sunday, Minnesota will play two of its next three games at home, where it boasts a 10-1 home record.  The Golden Gophers’ lone home setback came to South Dakota State (65-55 on Dec. 9).  Four of Minnesota’s last seven victories have come by four points or less, including a two-point (63-61) road triumph at Penn State Thursday night.  Minnesota senior Emily Fox led all scorers with 22 points, shooting 10-14 from the field.  The Golden Gophers shot 7-17 (.412) from distance, while the Lady Lions were just 3-11 (.273) from behind the 3-point arc.  Fox averages a team-best 12.8 points and 2.2 steals.  Junior Katie Ohm averages 10.3 points and has drained a team-best 57-137 (.416) from 3-point range.  Ellis-Milan averages 11.9 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds.  Minnesota boasts a +6.6 scoring margin and +1.2 rebounding margin.  The Golden Gophers shoot 72.5 percent from the free throw line and 40 percent from the field.  Minnesota ranks first in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.362) and third in rebounds allowed (34.0), steals (8.95) and 3-pointers made (6.09).  Pam Borton is in her 10th season (217-113, .658) as a head coach, including her sixth year on the Golden Gopher sidelines (148-67, .688).

 

ALL-TIME SERIES

Sunday will be the 61st meeting between the two schools.  Iowa owns a commanding 40-20 advantage in the all-time series.  The Hawkeyes also hold a 16-11 edge in games played at Minneapolis.  Four of the last five games have been decided by three points or less, including two going to overtime.  The Hawkeyes have won three straight in the series, including two consecutive in Williams Arena.  The Golden Gophers’ last win over the Hawkeyes was an 80-78 overtime thriller on Jan. 25, 2007, in Iowa City.  Minnesota’s last victory over Iowa in Minneapolis (81-50) was on Feb. 3, 2005.

 

LAST MEETING

In the last meeting between Iowa and Minnesota, the Golden Gophers outrebounded the Hawkeyes, 42-27, but still lost by 17 points (74-57).  Iowa collected 19 assists and shot 52 percent from the field, including a staggering 62.5 percent in the final 20 minutes.  JoAnn Hamlin tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristi Smith added 20 points and four assists to lead Iowa.  Minnesota was led by Kiara Buford (12 points) and Ashley Ellis-Milan (11 points, 10 rebounds).  The Hawkeyes held Emily Fox, Minnesota’s leading scorer, to only four points on 2-11 shooting from the field.  Starter Katie Ohm netted just three points in only 12 minutes of action.

 

HOMECOMING

Iowa has three current players on its roster who hail from the state of Minnesota: Kachine Alexander (Minneapolis), Hannah Draxten (Fergus Falls) and Kamille Wahlin (Crookston).  Both Draxten and Wahlin said that multiple charter buses are planning on making the trip to Minneapolis Sunday to watch the game.  Iowa will add one more Minnesotan to its roster next season: Theairra Taylor (St. Paul).

 

AUSDEMORE LIKES PLAYING MINNESOTA

Wendy Ausdemore’s last two games at Minnesota have been tremendous.  In the last two games at Williams Arena, Ausdemore averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists.  She shot 76.5 percent (13-17) from the field, 72.7 percent (8-11) from 3-point range and 100 percent (5-5) from the foul line.  She drained four triples in each of her last two games at Minnesota.

 

IOWA HOLDS ON IN TWO-POINT WIN OVER INDIANA

Iowa won its sixth game in seven tries Thursday night with a 69-67 triumph over Indiana in Carver-Hawkeye Arena at Iowa City.  The Hawkeyes led by 13 points with three minutes remaining in the contest.  Indiana mounted a furious comeback to cut its double-digit deficit to only two points multiple times under a minute to go, but Iowa sank its free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.  Wendy Ausdemore paced the Hawkeyes, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds.  Kamille Wahlin contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and a game-high five assists, while Kristi Smith tallied 17 points.  Iowa shot 57 percent (12-21) from the floor in the second half and 44 percent (22-50) for the game.  The Hoosiers shot 28 percent (21-75) from the field, attempting 25 more field goals that the Hawkeyes.  Indiana’s Jamie Braun led all scorers with 21 points, netting 14 second-half points.  Jori Davis, Indiana’s second-leading scorer, was held without a point and fouled out at the 7:00 mark of the second half.

 

ON THE HORIZON

The Hawkeyes return home to host nationally-ranked Ohio State next Thursday.  Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Thursday will be the only regular season meeting between the two schools.

Dunham dismissed from Badgers

MADISON, Wis. – Junior Mariah Dunham has been dismissed from the University of Wisconsin women's basketball team for repeated violations of team rules, Coach Lisa Stone announced today. The dismissal is effective immediately. "This was a very tough decision to make but, in the best interests of the program, we felt that it was time for Mariah to leave the team," said Stone. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors." Dunham, a 6-1 forward, was suspended indefinitely by the UW coaching staff prior to the Badgers' game at Michigan last Sunday for an off-the-court incident. The Watertown, Wis., native has played in 20 games this season, starting 13. Dunham was the second-leading scorer on the UW team, averaging 9.2 points per game. She also ranked second with 4.6 rebounds per game. Dunham scored in double figures in 11 games, including a season-high 17 points vs. Michigan on Jan. 11. A two-year letterwinner, Dunham started 14 games as a freshman and seven games as a sophomore. She scored her 600th career point vs. Purdue on Jan. 29 and also has more than 300 career rebounds.

Hawkeyes Host Indiana Thursday

THE SETTING

The Iowa Hawkeyes (13-8, 6-4) entertain the Indiana Hoosiers (15-5, 8-3) Thursday night.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Tickets are $9 for adults, while youths and UI students will be admitted free.

    Thursday will be Iowa’s second-straight home game and Indiana’s second-consecutive road contest.  The Hawkeyes are in sixth-place in the Big Ten standings, only one loss behind Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota.

 

SCOUTING INDIANA

Indiana (15-5) started the season 14-3, but has since lost two of its last three, with both losses coming on the road.  Thursday will conclude a stretch of playing four of five away from Bloomington.  The Hoosiers are currently tied with Purdue for third place in the Big Ten standings with 8-3 records.

    Indiana lost its last contest at No. 14 Ohio State, 59-51, Sunday afternoon.  The Buckeyes outscored the Hoosiers 17-6 at the foul line.  Indiana was only 6-13 (.462) from the charity stripe, while Ohio State was 17-24 (.708).  Additionally, Indiana was only 5-19 (.263) from long distance.  Sophomore Jori Davis and senior Whitney Thomas led the Hoosiers, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively.

    Senior Amber Jackson averages a team-best 13.8 points and ranks second in rebounding (7.0).  Thomas pulls down a team-best 9.1 rebounds and ranks second in scoring (12.6).  Junior Jamie Braun averages 11.7 points and a team-best 3.6 assists per outing.

    During conference play, Indiana ranks first in Big Ten turnover margin (+5.73) and steals (8.82).  The Hoosiers also rank second in scoring (66.2), scoring margin (+7.2), 3-point field goal percentage (.328) and offensive rebounds (14.37).

    Indiana is coached by Felisha Legette-Jack, who is in her eighth season as a collegiate head coach (106-97, .522) and her third with Indiana (52-34, .605).

 

ALL-TIME SERIES

Thursday will be the 54th meeting between Iowa and Indiana, with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 38-15.  Iowa boasts a 21-3 advantage in games played at Iowa City, including 11-straight wins inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  The Hoosiers’ last victory in Iowa City came on Feb. 20, 1994 (63-59).

    Indiana has won two of the last three in the series, including a 76-54 win on Jan. 4, 2009, in Bloomington.

 

HOME SWEET HOME

Iowa has maintained a solid home court advantage the last couple years.  Dating back to last season, Iowa has won 16 of its last 17 home games.  Iowa is 9-1 in home contests this season.  Purdue snapped Iowa’s 12-game winning streak with a 69-60 win Dec. 28 in Iowa City. 

 

ALEXANDER NAMED BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The Big Ten announced Tuesday that Iowa sophomore Kachine Alexander has been named Big Ten Player of the Week.

    Alexander takes home her second weekly honor in three weeks after leading Iowa to a triple-overtime victory over Penn State Sunday. 

    The native of Minneapolis, MN, became the first Hawkeye to ever amass two triple-doubles in a career, let alone four weeks apart, when she accomplished the feat again in Sunday’s, 97-89, triple-overtime win over the Lady Lions.  The Hawkeyes became the first Big Ten team to ever win a triple-overtime conference game, since league play officially began in 1982-83.

    Alexander registered a team-high 26 points, a staggering 21 rebounds and 10 assists against Penn State.  The 26 points and 21 rebounds are personal bests.  Additionally, Alexander was a perfect 10-10 from the foul line, including sinking all six attempts in the 15 extra minutes.  The sophomore was two assists from of a triple-double through regulation, but dished out assists on Iowa’s first two overtime field goals and achieved the mark at 3:02 of the first overtime. 

    Alexander is one of only three NCAA Division I student-athletes to post two triple-doubles this season.  Kansas State’s Shalee Lehning and St. Mary’s Louella Tomlinson are the other 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.

    In Iowa’s two games last week, Alexander made 85 percent of her free throws, sinking 17-of-20 attempts.

 

HAWKEYES-LADY LIONS MAKE BIG TEN HISTORY

The Iowa-Penn State triple overtime game last Sunday, 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.

 

KASHIN’ IN

Sophomore 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 21 games this season, she is averaging 9.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

    Alexander, who stands 5-9, ranks first in Big Ten rebounding (9.9) and assist/turnover ratio (1.7), second in assists (5.1) and defensive rebounds (7.5), in league game rankings.

    Additionally, she became the first Hawkeye to ever post two triple-doubles when she accomplished the feat twice in four games this season.  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.

    Alexander is 17-20 (.850) from the foul line in Iowa’s last two games, including a perfect 10-10 (1.000) vs. Penn State last Sunday.

 

WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE

Kamille Wahlin was moved to a starting role the last three games, due to the absence of JoAnn Hamlin.  In her first three career starts last week, Wahlin averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 35 minutes of action.

    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 Sunday’s triple overtime thriller, the freshman logged 43 minutes of court time, recording season bests in scoring (18) and rebounding (7).

 

Iowa and Penn State to Play Sunday in Iowa City

THE SETTING
The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-8, 5-4) welcome the Penn State Lady Lions (8-11, 3-6) to Iowa City Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 1:05 p.m. (CST) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for youths and free for UI students. Both teams are coming off road losses Thursday night; Iowa lost at Michigan State, while Penn State fell at Indiana.

PINK ZONE, NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY
Sunday's game is Iowa's Pink Zone event and also UI Department of Athletics is honoring National Girls and Women Sports Day.

• Boys and girls 18-and-under who wear their team jersey to the game Sunday, will receive free admission in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
• All fans are encouraged to wear pink to Sunday's game in support of cancer awareness.
• The first 1,000 fans will receive a pink pom pom.
• Three-point placards with American Cancer Resource Network information on the back will be distributed.
• Both teams will be wearing pink uniforms (Penn State in pink with white trim/Iowa in white with pink trim).
• Cancer Awareness facts will be read throughout the game and info will be distributed on the concourse
• Pre-game Kids Fun Zone/Post-Game autographs
• Nike Pink Initiative T-Shirts are available for purchase at the Iowa Hawk Shop. The shirts cost $20. Nike will donate $2 per shirt to the Kay Yow/WBCA Fund to support breast cancer awareness and research.

SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State is in the middle of a stretch in which it plays six of eight games on the road. The Lady Lions lost at Indiana Thursday, 65-55. The Lady Lions led by three points (29-26) at the half, but the Hoosiers outscored Penn State by 13 (39-26) in the second stanza. Julia Trogele and Tyra Grant paced the Lady Lions. Trogele had a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds), while Grant led all scorers with 18 points. Penn State is 1-8 in games away from home, including 0-6 in true road contests this year. Penn State is led by Grant and Brianne O'Rourke. Grant averages a team-best 19.2 points and 1.7 steals per outing. Grant's 19.2 scoring average ranks second-best in the Big Ten behind Ohio State's Jantel Lavender. O'Rourke averages a team-best 4.6 assists and ranks second in scoring (11.3). Janessa Wolff pulls down a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game. Grant and O'Rourke are Penn State's top 3-point threats, making 31 and 28, respectively. The Lady Lions only attempted seven treys in Thursday's loss at Indiana. As a team, Penn State shoots 64.7 percent (222-343) from the foul line. The Lady Lions rank first in the Big Ten in steals per game (9.3). Coquese Washington is in her second season (21-29, .420) 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 34th meeting between Iowa and Penn State, with the Lady Lions leading the series 19-14. The Hawkeyes have won the last three meetings. Iowa holds a 10-5 advantage in games played in Iowa City, including winning the last two. The Lady Lions' last triumph (77-71) in Iowa City came on Jan. 6, 2005. Penn State (.576), Purdue (.564) and Ohio State (.510) are the only conference teams to have a winning percentage above .500 against Iowa. Iowa Head Coach Lisa Bluder collected her 500th career win with Iowa's 73-65 triumph at Penn State last February.

MICHIGAN STATE SNAPS IOWA'S FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK
Michigan State's rebounding and defensive pressure proved to be too much for the Hawkeyes to overcome in a 68-56 win over Iowa Thursday night at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans outrebounded the Black and Gold, 42-33 and turned 18 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points. Michigan State scored 46 of its 68 points in the paint. Additionally, the Spartans forced 18 turnovers, scoring 25 times off the Hawkeye miscues. Wendy Ausdemore and Kristi Smith were Iowa's only players who scored in double figures. Ausdemore netted a game-high 18, while Smith scored all 12 of her points in the second half. Hannah Draxten provided a spark off the bench, posting game and season highs in rebounds (8) and assists (4). The Spartans were led by Allyssa DeHaan, Kalisha Keane and Brittney Thomas. DeHaan tallied 14 points, Keane had 13, while Thomas added 10. Michigan State, is tied with Indiana for second place in the Big Ten standings, shot an Iowa-opponent-season-best 59.4 percent (19-32) from the field in the second half to secure its 15th win of the season.

Texas Tech Downs Colorado 66-60

By Jessica Steinberg, CU Sports Information Student Assistant BOULDER- Texas Tech used a 14-0 run midway through the second half to defeat Colorado 66-60 Wednesday night at the Coors Events/Conference Center. CU falls to 9-9, 1-5 in the Big 12, while TTU snaps a two-game losing streak and advances to 12-7, 3-3 Big 12. Sophomore Brittany Spears led the Buffs with 26 points—her second-highest point total this season and a personal best for a Big 12 game. Freshman Alyssa Fressle and senior Kara Richards each had 13. The first half was highlighted by runs for both teams. The Buffs started out on top jumping ahead to a 12-2 lead less than five minutes into the game. Spears got the Buffs going by putting up Colorado's first eight points. She knocked down her first of four 3-pointers of the night, tying a career high. Then, 22 just seconds later, she stole the ball in the backcourt from Lady Raider Jordan Murphree and drove down the court for a layup. Spears capped her run off with another trey. Smith followed Spears's lead and recorded a steal and driving layup of her own. Fressle followed with a jumper, and the Buffs found themselves on top by 10—their biggest lead of the game—at the 15:31 mark. But CU's lead didn't last for long as Texas Tech took over for the next 10 minutes, pulling ahead 25-19 and outscoring the Buffs 23-7 during that time. Colorado stormed back and shut Texas Tech down for the next 2:09 as they put up eight straight points. Richards swooshed her two free throws after being fouled by Kierra Mallard. Smith knocked down a shot from behind the 3-point arc and sophomore Kelly Jo Mullaney capped the run with a driving layup down the baseline as the shot clock expired and sank a free throw on the next possession after being fouled by Murphree to put the Buffs up by two with 1:36 remaining. Despite the Buffs' comeback, Texas Tech went into halftime on top by three (30-27) after Mallard scored on a layup and senior Maria Moore knocked down a 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining. Colorado and Texas Tech were even in the first part of the second half. In fact they were tied 40-40 after Fressle hit a jumper at the 13:45 mark. But that's when Texas Tech stepped up and went on a 14-0 run over the next four minutes. They held their biggest lead (54-40) with 9:01 remaining in the game. CU Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller explained how her team fell behind so quick: "We tried to go too much one-on-one there. We had three consecutive turnovers that led to easy buckets for them, and gave them momentum," she said. "I thought we were soft and tentative and they went right at us." The Buffaloes will put tonight's loss behind them and focus on their next match-up against conference rival Nebraska. Colorado hosts Nebraska on Saturday Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center. The game will be televised nationally on FSN. Colorado-Texas Tech Quotes Colorado Head Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller General "It was not the outcome we hoped for. It's not the performance we had prepared for. I don't think anyone is going to walk out the arena and say that was a pretty performance. It was physical and there was a lot of contact. It was the style that was more conducive to them. Overall, we can't perform in this league with our starting center on the bench for the majority of the first half. It was a struggle and that is not the way we wanted to start this game, and it continued from there. It was a tough night for the Buffs." On Texas Tech's 14-0 second half run "We tried to go too much one-on-one there. We had three consecutive turnovers that led to easy buckets for them, and gave them momentum. They were exploiting the fact that we had posts that were struggling on the defensive end with fouls. I thought we were soft and tentative and they went right at us." On Kara Richards foul trouble "It's not any secret that we are a different team with her on the bench. Bianca (Smith) is not a true post player, but she is doing her best helping. When Kara is out or in there with three or four fouls, they are going right at her. Courtney Dunn is getting better with experience, but she doesn't have very much Big 12 experience. She's playing a limited role." Colorado Players Bianca Smith, So., G ON TEXAS TECH'S DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE – "I just think they were really physical on defense, face-guarding both me and Spears. It was tough to get a lot of open shots. I think we kind of went away from our offense a little bit, which made their defense look even better." Brittany Spears, So., G ON RUNNING THE OFFENSE WITHOUT KARA RICHARDS IN THE GAME – "It's difficult because we practice differently than it is in the game. We have to adjust to different players." ON THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY AT HOME – "We were at home and it would have given us more confidence in our next games." ON TEXAS TECH'S ADJUSTMENT – "They played the same way the whole game." Colorado-Texas Tech Notes Tonight was the 20th meeting between Colorado and Texas Tech. Texas Tech now leads the series 15-5, winning their second straight game against Colorado. Kathy McConnell-Miller is 2-3 against the Lady Raiders. The six point margin was the smallest for Texas Tech against Colorado in any of their 15 series wins. Colorado drops to 1-5 in the Big 12 for the first time since the 2005-06 season. That season was also the last time CU lost three straight Big 12 games at home (Texas-Kansas State-Missouri). Sophomore Brittany Spears scored 26 points, a Big 12 career high, passing the 24 points she scored at Missouri in 2008. Last year against Texas Tech in Lubbock, she was held to just four points on 1-from-11 from the field. Spears tied a career high with four 3-point field goals, a mark she's achieved eight times, most recently against Oklahoma on Jan. 21. Spears had Colorado's first eight points of the game, hitting double digits at 14:46 in the first half. She scored 15 points in the first half, making over half of Colorado's 27 points. Freshman Alyssa Fressle had 13 points, a personal best for a Big 12 game and her most since scoring 16 against Pepperdine on Jan. 3. She finished in double digits for the 3rd time in the last four games. Sophomore Britney Blythe tied a career high with three steals, equaling the mark she set at Texas Tech last season. Spears had Colorado's first eight points of the game, hitting double digits at 14:46 in the first half. She scored 15 points in the first half, making over half of Colorado's 27 points. Texas Tech did not make a field goal until 15:12 in the first half, when Jordan Barncastle made a lay-up. They had a 13-0 run in the first half and a 14-0 run in the second half. The Lady Raiders shot at 50% during the first half, and 48.1% in the second half. Colorado did not score from 14:46 until 8:19 in the first half, leading to Tech taking the lead at 10:46 (16-15). Colorado did not regain the lead until 2:04 (26-25) when Kelly Jo Mullaney made her first field goal in Big 12 play. Colorado scored only three points off the bench, while Texas Tech scored 16.

Hawkeyes and Spartans Clash Thursday Night

THE SETTING

The Iowa Hawkeyes (12-7, 5-3) and Michigan State Spartans (14-6, 7-2) clash Thursday night in East Lansing, MI.  Tip-off is slated for 6:05 p.m. (CST) at the Breslin Center.  It will be the only regular season meeting between the two teams.  Michigan State has won five-consecutive games, while Iowa has won four-straight.

 

HAMLIN UPDATE

JoAnn Hamlin suffered a sprained left ankle during practice last Thursday and missed Iowa's game vs. Michigan Monday night.  She is doubtful for Thursday night's road game.

 

SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE

After starting conference play 2-2, Michigan State has won five-straight games.  The Spartans won their last contest, 59-50, over Wisconsin Sunday afternoon in front of a season-high 10,489 fans at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.  Both teams' statistics were identical on the box score, except Michigan State outscored Wisconsin 13-4 at the foul line, with the Spartans attempting 15 more free throws than the Badgers.  The Spartans have two players average in double figures: Aisha Jefferson and Allyssa DeHaan.  Jefferson averages a team-best 12.0 points and 5.2 rebounds.  DeHaan ranks second in scoring (11.0) and first in rebounding (6.9) and blocks (3.2).  Brittany Thomas averages a team-best 3.2 assists to go along with 5.7 points per contest.  Michigan State ranks first in seven statistical categories: field goal percentage defense (.341), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.265), rebounding (43.5), offensive rebounds (15.2), defensive rebounds (28.35), rebounding margin (+9.6) and blocked shots (5.65).  The Spartans boast an 8-1 home record this season, averaging 5,634 fans per game.  Michigan State is coached by Suzy Merchant.  Merchant is in her 14th season (238-138, .632) as a head coach and her second on the Spartan sidelines (37-20, .649).

 

ALL-TIME SERIES

Thursday will be the 53rd meeting between Iowa and Michigan State, with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 30-22.  Michigan State has won eight of the last 10 in the series.  Iowa snapped a five-game slide to the Spartans in last year's meeting in Iowa City (82-64) on Feb. 7, 2008.  Iowa holds a slim 13-11 advantage in games played at East Lansing, MI.  Michigan State has won four-straight against Iowa in the Breslin Center.  The Hawkeyes' last victory at Michigan State came on Feb. 1, 2004 (78-67).

 

TRIPLE THREAT

Kachine Alexander was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week with Minnesota's Ashley Ellis-Milan on Jan. 19.  Alexander took home her first career weekly honor after helping Iowa to a pair of victories over Illinois and Northwestern.  In Iowa's win over Northwestern, she became the eighth NCAA Division I student-athlete to post a triple-double this season.  The 5-9 guard totaled 10 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists against the Wildcats.  The 12 assists are a personal best and match the school single-game and Carver-Hawkeye Arena record.  The last time a Big Ten player recorded a triple-double during a conference game came on 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.  Alexander became only the second Iowa basketball player, male or female to post a triple-double (Cara Consuegra).

 

WAHLIN SHINES IN STARTING ROLE

Kamille Wahlin shined in her first career start Monday night against Michigan.  The freshman posted a double-double, the first of her career, recording personal bests in scoring (14 points) and assists (10 assists).  The 10 assists are believed to be the most in a single-game by an Iowa freshman.  Wahlin was moved into the starting lineup after JoAnn Hamlin injured an ankle in practice.  Hamlin is questionable for Thursday night's contest at Michigan State.  In her last four games, Wahlin has made 13-20 (.650) from the field.

 

ON THE HORIZON

The Hawkeyes return home to host Penn State Sunday, Feb. 1 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Tip-off is slated for 1:05 p.m.  Iowa will conclude its stretch of playing four of five home games next Thursday when it entertains Indiana to Iowa City.

NDSU Athletics Hosts 18th Annual Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive

The 18th annual Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive, sponsored by North Dakota State University Athletics and United Blood Services, is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10 and Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Bison Sports Arena. Donations will be taken from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both dates. The goal of this year's blood drive is gather 400 units of blood. The Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive started in 1992 and has averaged approximately 261 donors with 240 units drawn over the 17 previous two-day events. The Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive has averaged 108 first-time donors per year. United Blood Services provides blood and blood products for patients at 73 hospitals in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, and are in dire need of donations at this time. The purpose of the blood drive is to involve all athletics staff, student-athletes and coaches from each of North Dakota State's 16 intercollegiate sports. Each NDSU student-athlete is encouraged to recruit as many volunteers as possible for the blood drive. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. Donors also must show a list of medications taken in the past month and identification containing their legal name with a date of birth, photo ID, social security number or a United Blood Services assigned donor number. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Last year 58 walk-ins participated. Appointments are scheduled for every 15 minutes, and those wishing to schedule a time to donate are encouraged to call the NDSU Athletic Office at (701) 231-7807 or e-mail Lynn Dorn, the Director of Women's Athletics, at Lynn.Dorn@ndsu.edu

Lady Lions Travel to Indiana Thursday

Game can be seen on BigTenNetwork.com for 7 p.m. tip-off UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; January 27, 2009 — The Lady Lions (8-10, 3-5) hit the road for their next two games, beginning with a Thursday night date at Indiana (14-4, 7-2) at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. The game will tip-off at 7 p.m., and can be viewed on a live webstream at www.BigTenNetwork.com.   RADIO/WEB: A live video stream of the game is available on BigTenNetwork.com. The contest can be heard on the Penn State Sports Radio Network with Jerry Fisher (play-by-play) and Stacey Brewer (color) calling the action. The game will air locally WMAJ. The audio feed and a link to live stats are available at www.GoPSUSports.com.   LAST TIME OUT: Tyra Grant scored 32 of Penn State's 58 points and connected on the game-winning jumper at the overtime buzzer to help the Lady Lions erase a 17-point second-half deficit en route to a 58-56 overtime win versus Wisconsin Thursday night. The junior guard, who recorded the second 30-point game of her career as she, scored 12 of PSU's 13 points in overtime. Sophomore Julia Trogele was the only other Lady Lion in double figures with 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while senior point guard Brianne O'Rourke added eight points, three assists and three steals.   SCOUTING INDIANA: The Hoosiers are tied for second in the Big Ten after suffering a 61-52 loss to Illinois on Sunday. Indiana is now 14-4 overall and 7-2 in Big Ten play. Amber Jackson continues to pace the balanced Hoosier offense with a 14.4 scoring average. Whitney Thomas is second on the team in scoring (12.9), but tops the squad in rebounding (9.3) and blocks (15).   ALL-TIME VS. THE HOOSIERS: The Lady Lions are 24-7 all-time against the Hoosiers, including an 8-4 mark in road games. However, Indiana has won four of the last five meetings between the teams, including an 84-77 victory in Happy Valley on Jan. 11. The last time these teams met in Bloomington, Indiana earned a 79-67 victory over the Lady Lions in the regular-season finale for both teams.   LAST TIME VS. IU: In a game that featured 14 ties and 13 lead changes, Indiana used a 13-4 run to end the game and hand the Lady Lions an 84-77 loss at the Bryce Jordan Center Sunday. Tyra Grant led five players in double figures with 17 points to go along with four rebounds, while Brianne O'Rourke added 11 points, four assists and a pair of steals. Freshman Zhaque Gray posted the second double-digit scoring performance of her career with 11 tallies.   GREAT PERFORMANCE GRANT-ED: Junior Tyra Grant scored 32 of Penn State's 58 points and drained the game-winning jumper at the buzzer to single-handedly lift Penn State to a 58-56 come-from-behind win over Wisconsin on Jan. 22. Grant's effort was the second-highest scoring performance of her career, trailing only her 33-point game at Iowa (Feb. 18, 2007) her freshman year, and is tied for 28th on PSU's single-game scoring chart. Grant's second career 30-point game makes her one of eight players in school history to have multiple 30-point games in their career. Grant reached the 20-point plateau for the 10th time this season and the 21st in her career. Her 10 20-point games this season are the most by a Lady Lion since Tanisha Wright had 13 games with 20 or more points. O'ROURKE EYES MILESTONE: Senior point guard Brianne O'Rourke is on pace to become the sixth player in school history to accumulate 1,000 points and 500 assists. She has 988 points and 512 assists. The other Lady Lions to accomplish the feat are Suzie McConnell, Tina Nicholson, Helen Darling, Jess Strom and Nancy Kuhl.   HITTING THE BOARDS: Sophomore post Evelyn Lewis pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds in the Jan. 22 win over Wisconsin. It was the second double-digit rebounding performance of Lewis' career and brought her over 100 career boards. She also notched a block and a steal against the Badgers.   OT GAMES: The Lady Lions posted a 58-56 overtime win over Wisconsin on Jan. 22 to improve Penn State to 15-13 all-time in overtime games. The last time PSU played in an overtime game was the 2006-07 season when the Lady Lions dropped a 73-71 decision to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lions last win in overtime was Dec. 7, 2006 over Xavier, 73-66.   The Lady Lions continue their road swing at Iowa on Sunday, Feb. 1, where they will participate in the Hawkeyes' WBCA Pink Zone Day. Penn State returns to the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday, Feb. 5 to face Minnesota at 7 p.m. The game against the Gophers is $1 Dog Night. For information on Lady Lion Basketball tickets, call the Penn State ticket office at 814-865-5555.   The 2009 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State proudly supported by Mimi Barash Coppersmith (formerly known as THINK PINK Day) will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., as the Lady Lions take on Iowa in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game can be seen on www.bigtennetwork.com. The first two Pink Zone events have raised more than $50,000 for breast cancer awareness. This year's fundraising efforts will benefit the Penn State Hershey Breast Cancer Institute, the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. For more information on the Pink Zone at Penn State, visit the official Pink Zone website at www.gopsusports.com/pinkzone.   —LADY LIONS—

Summit League WBB Release/Stats (1-27-09)

CRACKING THE TOP 25 South Dakota State became the fi rst Summit League women's basketball program to crack the Top 25 rankings since the 1993-94 season. The Jackrabbits earned a No. 20 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and received votes in the Associated Press poll this week. The last league school to be ranked was Northern Illinois, when the Huskies were No. 25 on Jan. 31, 1994. SDSU is now the highest ranked league team ever, besting NIU's No. 21 ranking on Feb. 16, 1993. RPI RANKINGS The Summit League is currently ranked 19th by rpiratings.com and 18th by the Sagarin rankings out of the 31 conferences and independents. The league is ranked ahead of the likes of the Big West, WAC, Big Sky and Southland conferences. South Dakota State and Oakland are the lone teams in the top 100 for the league, placing 28th and 83rd, respectively. TRIPLE-DOUBLE Oakland's Brittany Carnago recorded the league's fi rst triple-double since Valparaiso's Betsy Rietema accomplished the feat on Dec. 2, 2006 against Indiana State. Carnago had 14 points, 11 blocks and 10 rebounds in the 66-54 victory over Centenary on Jan. 12. BIG-TIME VICTORIES South Dakota State reeled off victories over fi ve power conference schools behind a balanced attack thus far en route to its 12-1 record this season. The Jackrabbits were led by Jennifer Warkenthien with 15 points in a 55-50 win at Missouri. In a 64-44 win over Wisconsin, Maria Boever collected 10 boards. SDSU defeated Pac-10 foe Oregon at Frost Arena behind a 19-point effort from Ketty Cornemann. SDSU also defeated Illinois on Thanksgiving Day at the Caribbean Challenge MTE behind 26 points from Kristen Rotert. On Dec. 9, the Jacks ousted No. 25 Minnesota, 65-55, behind a career-high 27 points from Rotert. Meanwhile, IUPUI collected its fi rst-ever win over an ACC opponent after defeating Virginia Tech, 64-52, in the South Padre Island Shootout on Dec. 19. TAKING ON NATIONALLY RANKED OPPONENTS Three Summit League schools have played a total of seven nationally-ranked opponents in the course of the non-league portion of the schedule this season. No. 23 Purdue downed IUPUI by an 80-44 score on Nov. 16. Oakland faced back-to-back ranked opponents on Nov. 20 and 23. The Golden Grizzlies hosted No. 23 Georgia and suffered a heartbreaking, 64-61 defeat and then fell at No. 21 Purdue, 68-40. In the Caribbean Challenge MTE, South Dakota State dropped a 68-56 contest to No. 10 Maryland. The lone victory came on Dec. 9, when SDSU defeated No. 25 Minnesota, 65-55. On Jan. 6, Centenary dropped a contest at No. 21 Oklahoma State, while IPFW fell at No. 25 Iowa State the following night. 1,000 POINT CLUB The Summit League currently features four career 1,000-point scorers in IUPUI's Jernisha Cann (1,339), Oakland's Jessica Pike (1,279), South Dakota State's Jennifer Warkenthien (1,124) and Oral Roberts' Mariana Camargo (1,058). IN MEMORIUM The Summit League and Southern Utah lost an important and key member with the passing of SUU head coach Steve Hodson on Nov. 3, 2008, after an eight year battle with cancer. The Thunderbird team has dedicated their season to Coach Hodson. NEW TOURNAMENT SITE For the first time, The Summit League will hold its 2009 men's and women's basketball championships in Sioux Falls, S.D. The state's largest city will play host to the event March 7-10 at Sioux Falls Arena, a 7,100-seat facility that is home to the Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBADL). The tournament format remains unchanged with the top eight teams qualifying for the postseason. RECORD-BREAKING TICKET SALES As of Dec. 22, ticket sales for the 2009 Summit League Basketball Championship in Sioux Falls, S.D., had already surpassed the 2,400 mark for all-session reserved seats. The total shatters the Summit League's previous record for all-session reserved ticket sales of 1,595 for the 2005 tournament in Tulsa, Okla. Sioux Falls Arena will host the event for the fi rst time next March. COURT SMARTS For the third consecutive season, South Dakota State led all divisions of women's college basketball in team grade-point average, according to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The Jackrabbits had a combined GPA of 3.669, and in its four years competing at the Division I level, SDSU has fi nished no worse than second in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll standings. Also making the Top 25 list were North Dakota State (3.326) in 18th place and Oakland (3.312) in the 20th slot.

North Dakota State Women Look To Rebound Against IPFW, Oakland

North Dakota State University (8-9, 6-3 Summit) is scheduled to host IPFW (3-17, 2-7 Summit) at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, in the Bison Sports Arena ... The Bison lost to 20th-ranked South Dakota State 64-48 in Brookings on Jan. 24 ... The Mastodons snapped an 11-game losing streak with a 55-51 win over Western Illinois on Jan. 26 ... NDSU is 5-2 at home this season including 4-0 in Summit League play ... IPFW is 1-9 on the road and 1-3 in league away games ... North Dakota State is scheduled to host Oakland University (16-4, 8-1 Summit) at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in the Bison Sports Arena ... The Golden Grizzlies have rattled off eight straight wins since a loss to Marquette on Dec. 28 ... OU has compiled a 6-2 road record including 4-1 in Summit League play. NCAA's "Bring A Kid to the Game" This Saturday: The North Dakota State men's and women's basketball teams host IPFW Saturday at the Bison Sports Arena ... Youth tickets for both games are $2 with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket ... Tipoff for the women's game is at 2 p.m. and tipoff for the men's game is 7 p.m. ... Starting one hour before the game, inflatable games from Games Galore will be available and the second of four sets of Bison trading cards will be given away to the first 500 kids in attendance courtesy of Stop N Go. The Series: This will be the ninth meeting between North Dakota State and IPFW ... The Bison lead the series 7-1 including a 63-59 win over the Mastodons on Jan. 5 in Fort Wayne ... This will be the sixth meeting between North Dakota State and Oakland ... The Bison lead the series 3-2 ... The Golden Grizzlies defeated NDSU 61-47 in Rochester, Mich., on Jan. 3. Bison On Radio: WDAY 970 AM of Fargo is the flagship station of the Bison Radio Network ... Stations on the Bison Radio Network for the basketball season include WDAY-AM 970 (Fargo), KQLX-FM 106.1 (Lisbon/select games), ESPN AM 710 /KFYR-AM 550 (Bismarck/select games) and KPOK-AM 1340 (Bowman) ... Scott Miller, WDAY 970 AM sports director, will call the play-by-play, and Jeremy Jorgenson, NDSU director of athletic broadcasting, will provide the color analysis ... Miller hosts Bison Feedback featuring women's basketball coach Carolyn DeHoff and men's basketball coach Saul Phillips on Tuesdays throughout the season ... Game audio and Bison Feedback are free and available on www.GoBison.com. 96.3 KNDS FM of Fargo ... Dan "Pinto" Gunderson describes the action, while Stefan Ming is the color analyst ... Pregame begins 10 minutes before tip-off Saturday ... The game is also on www.kndsradio.com. Bison Coaches Corner: Bison Coaches Corner featuring women's basketball coach Carolyn DeHoff and men's basketball coach Saul Phillips can be seen weekly during The Summit League season exclusively on GoBison.com ... The show feature games footage and analysis from both Phillips and DeHoff ... The NDSU men's basketball show will be posted Tuesday afternoons (once on Thursday, Feb. 19 due to team travel), while the Bison women's basketball show will be uploaded Wednesday afternoons (twice on Thursday due to travel) ... Bison Coaches Corner is hosted by NDSU director of athletic broadcasting/sales Jeremy Jorgenson and directed by Andrew Young, a freshman broadcast journalism major from Napoleon, N.D. Bison Basketball Flex Ticket Package: With the North Dakota State men's and women's basketball teams gearing up for The Summit League stretch run, the athletics department is offering the Bison Basketball Flex Ticket Package ... The women's flex pack allows fans to choose four of the six remaining home games for $30 ... With the men's flex pack, fans can choose to attend four of the five remaining home games for $40 ... The Bison Sports Arena ticket office is open between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday ... For more information, contact the NDSU ticket office at 1-888-231-NDSU (6378) or visit www.GoBison.com. GoBison.Com Live Stats: Follow the games on the Internet at GoBison.com with live in-game statistics ... Click on the "Live Stats" link at the left side of the page ... Live video is available by subscription starting at $7.95 per month on GoBison.com or $19.95 per month for the league package on TheSummitLeague.org. Bison Fast Break: In the NCAA Division I statistics (thru games Jan. 25), North Dakota State junior guard Inger Hodgson is 30th in three-point shooting (.414, 36-87) ... Hodgson ranks 2nd in the Summit League in both three-point shooting (.531, 26-49) and three-pointers made (2.9 avg.) ... Collectively, the Bison are 30th in NCAA Division I in field goal percentage defense (.355, 336-947) and 40th in free throw shooting (.739, 227-307) ... It's "The Few, The Proud, The Bison", as the North Dakota State women's basketball roster dropped to seven healthy players during the second half against Western Illinois (1-10-09) ... Junior guard Nicole Vigil is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury suffered with 13:25 left in the second half against Western Illinois (1-10-09) ... NDSU has added 5-foot-8 freshman Tiffany Giese from Ortonville, Minn., and 6-foot-1 junior Kate Moser from Bismarck, N.D. to the roster ... Giese was a volunteer on the practice squad ... Moser played in five games for the Bison in 2005-06 ... Moser was the 2008 NDSU Homecoming Queen ... Sophomore forward Abby Plucker will be evaluated again in early February following a shoulder injury sustained at Denver (12-15-08) ... Plucker has missed the last eight games ... Junior Megan Shea is practicing again after sitting out for most of the year due to complications following knee surgery ... North Dakota State was picked sixth in The Summit League preseason poll released in October ... The Bison four-game losing streak from Dec. 13 to Jan. 3 was the longest since an eight-game skid during the 2005-06 season ... NDSU had a season-high 52 rebounds at IPFW (1-5-09) including a season best 18 offensive rebounds ... North Dakota State is 8-2 when leading at halftime, 7-2 holding opponents to 59 points-under, 6-3 when outrebounding opponents and 5-2 when committing fewer turnovers ... Whitney Trecker recorded a career best for the third time in four games, exploding for 17 points at UMKC (1-17-09) including nine in the game's final 6:35 ... Trecker has scored in double-figures in three of the last five games ... Six-foot-2 senior Jerri Penley recorded a career-high 17 rebounds against IPFW (1-5-09) ... Penley has recorded double-figure rebounds in four of the last nine games ... With 15 points and 14 rebounds, Penley recorded the first "double-double" of the season and third of her career at Denver (12-15-08) ... Penley started the season 14 of 14 from the free throw line before missing her first against Oral Roberts (12-8-08) ... Penley made 19 straight free throws dating back to the second half of the UMKC (2-18-08) game ... Inger Hodgson came up with a career-high nine rebounds in the loss at Wyoming (12-13-08) ... Hodgson, who has a pair of 20-plus point scoring games this year, matched a career-high with five three-point field goals made at Southern Utah (1-19-09) ... Sophomore Abby Plucker had back-to-back career-high 20-point games against Georgetown (11-28-08) and Valley City State (11-21-08) ... Plucker is one of three players to score 20 points this season with Inger Hodgson and Katie Birkel netting 22 and 21, respectively, against Oral Roberts (12-8-08) ... Plucker scored in double-figures in the first eight games before hurting her shoulder at Denver (12-15-08) ... Ashley Samuelson pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds at Denver (12-15-08) ... Samuelson, a 6-foot junior from Underwood, Minn., sat out 2006-07 due to NCAA transfer rules (transfer from Colorado State) and missed last year due to a knee injury in the preseason ... Carolyn DeHoff recorded her first victory as a collegiate head coach on Nov. 21 against Valley City State ... At 17-11 in 2008, North Dakota State surpassed the previous year's win total of 14 ... Three of NDSU's six league losses in 2008 were by five points or less ... The Bison led at halftime in 21 of 28 games in 2008, winning 15 of those games ... North Dakota State is 1-3 in overtime games the past two seasons and 14-12 overall in OT ... The Bison double OT win over Oral Roberts (3-1-08) tied the longest game in school history ... North Dakota State is 25-18 in opening games but have lost four in a row ... The Bison were 10-2 at home last season ... Lisa Bue, who was the 2008 Summit League Player of the Year, is playing professional basketball in Bosnia ... Bue's roommate is former NDSU post player Brandee Gibbs. Bison In The Summit League: North Dakota State is well represented in The Summit League statistics (league games only) released Jan. 27 ... Individually in the top 10, Inger Hodgson is 2nd in three-point shooting (.531, 26-49) and three-pointers made (2.9 avg.), 4th in field goal shooting (.505, 46-91), tied for 5th in steals (2.1 spg), 7th in scoring (14.6 ppg) and 8th in assists (3 apg); Katie Birkel is tied for 4th in assists (3.6 apg), 5th in free throw shooting (.840, 21-25) and tied for 10th in scoring (11.7 ppg); Jerri Penley is 3rd in blocked shots (2 bpg) and 6th in rebounding (8 rpg) , and Jill Zaruba is 3rd in free throw shooting (.885, 23-26) and tied for 9th in blocked shots (0.9 bpg) ... Team-wise (top three), the Bison are 1st in field goal percentage defense (.324, 164-506), three-point field goal shooting (..372, 45-121); 2nd in scoring defense (55.9 ppg), field goal shooting (.437, 197-451), three-point field goal percentage defense (.291, 44-151) and blocked shots (4.1 bpg), and 3rd in scoring margin (+7.6 ppg), rebound margin (+3 rpg).