Spartan Win Streak Ended By Iowa

Feb. 1, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Jamie Cavey and Kristi Faulkner combined for 40 points against the Big Ten's top defense, and Iowa showed it could stop teams, too, in beating No. 18 Michigan State 78-67 on Sunday.

Cavey had 21 points and Faulkner added 19 as the Hawkeyes (12-7, 6-2 Big Ten) scored the last 11 points, including nine from the foul line, in their fifth-straight win.

The Spartans (16-4, 6-3) were allowing 53.6 points per game before surrendering a season-high total. They also shot just .310 from the field and .133 from 3-point range.

"Michigan State didn't shoot as well as it's capable of shooting," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. "But it was one point over its scoring average. And I hope our defense had something to do with that shooting."

The Hawkeyes overcame a 60-54 deficit, then pulled away at the foul line after shooting only four free throws to the Spartans' 31 in the first 37 minutes.

"That was very frustrating for us," Bluder said. "Our players were starting to get upset. The type of defense we play would lead to some of that. But I thought it was extreme this time. We had to make adjustments and try to keep them off the line. And we started to get there, too, at the end."

Jennie Lillis added 14 points, including 6-for-6 foul shooting in the last two minutes. But while she was held in check for most of the game, Cavey and Faulkner got loose near the basket and on the perimeter, respectively.

"Our coaches really prepared us well and showed us what their defense would be," Cavey said. "We knew we had to take our time and reverse the ball against their zone if we wanted to get our shots."

Michigan State was led by Lindsay Bowen with a game-high 22 points, all in the final 28 minutes. But the Spartans were outscored 30-6 from 3-point range.

The Hawkeyes entered the game as the league's best 3-point shooters and reinforced that reputation. Iowa also shot .900 at the line once its players got opportunities.

"I want to congratulate Iowa and two fantastic seniors," Faulkner and Lillis, Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "I hope that's the way we play when we have seniors. But (Cavey) was a difference-maker. And I thought our defense was horrific. That wasn't Spartan basketball."

Michigan State shot just .290 from the field and .111 on 3-pointers in the second half, when it was outscored 47-33. The Spartans also were outrebounded 26-14 in the last 20 minutes of their first loss in seven games.

Liz Shimek had 10 points for Michigan State but was 3-for-14 from the field and 0-for-4 from long range. Her last miss helped the Hawkeyes take a six-point lead despite committing 19 turnovers to the Spartans' nine and getting three steals to Michigan State's 12.

"Obviously, we're extremely pleased," Bluder said. "This was the one we were extremely nervous about. We have nothing but respect for Michigan State and the improvement it has made. Their players cause nothing but havoc with the defense they play.

"But we've been in enough close games to be able to withstand it."