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The Iowa Hawkeyes (20-8, 8-8) used a dangerous inside-outside game to defeat Michigan (5-22, 1-15) in their first round Big Ten Tournament match-up by a score of 70-42. Iowa seniors, guard Crystal Smith and center Jaime Cavey combined for 38 of the Hawkeyes' points.
Speedster Smith made her presence felt, both on the break and from behind the line, supplying eight first half points, while contributing four steals and an assist. Cavey had nine points in the first period and pulled down three offensive boards.
Iowa won both regular season meetings against Michigan, the second by 19 points, but the Wolverines, have made significant strides, especially on defense, under second-year coach Cheryl Burnett.
While both teams shot about the same percentage from the field in the first half, Michigan shot 17 percent from beyond the arc, while Iowa shot 30%. Smith was 2-4 from three in the first 20 minutes.
Seven Hawkeyes found themselves in the scoring column after the opening half, led by senior center Jaime Cavey's nine. For the game, all 11 Hawks contributed from the field.
In the opening minutes of the second half, the play in the paint became more physical, and Cavey benefited. The Hawk finished with 15 points and five rebounds.
After using it intermittently in the first half, the Wolverines turned on the full court pressure about five minutes into the second period. While it resulted in a larger number of fouls on the Maize and Blue, the number of quality scoring opportunities for Cavey decreased, and Michigan was able to keep the deficit at 11 until six minutes remained in regulation. However, to combat the pressure inside, the Hawkeyes began to focus on their long-range attack. In the second half Iowa made three of its seven three-point attempts to finish with 35.3% on the night.
The focus coming into the game for the Hawkeyes, had to be to shut down All-Conference selection Tabitha Pool. The senior finished with nine points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, the latter two are both Wolverine highs, but it wasn't enough to slow the well rounded Hawkeye attack. Wolverine senior forward BreAnne McPhilamy was somewhat able to pick up the slack, scoring 12 points, she was the only Wolverine in double figures.
Smith continued her hot shooting from downtown in the second half by connecting on 2-of-4 second half chances. The senior finished the game with 23 points on 9-15 from the field. The Hawkeye point guard also added four steals, three boards, and three assists.
Ta'Shia Walker also contributed eight points and three rebounds to the Michigan effort.
Iowa, who has not failed to reach the Big Ten Tournament's second round since 2000, will face off against No. 3 seed Penn State Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET. Iowa lost 77-71 to the Nittany Lions at home, in their only meeting of the season.
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