Valentin seals free throw record as Hoosiers cruise to victory

Senior guard Cyndi Valentin wasted no time putting the NCAA record for consecutive free throws made behind her. With 7:03 remaining in the second half of IU's 69-56 victory over Northwestern Thursday night, Valentin stepped to the charity stripe and promptly made the first of two shots, her 61st consecutive free throw.\nThe senior captain proceeded to miss her next free throw, ending her streak.\n"It's a great accomplishment," Valentin said. "A lot of people take free throws for granted so you have to go to the line and knock them down."\nValentin's new record was just one of many high points for the victorious Hoosiers Thursday evening.\nThe game got off to a slow start with both teams exchanging leads. The Wildcats then jumped out to a 13-8 lead before the Hoosiers charged back into the game.\nLed by the senior trio of Valentin, Jenny DeMuth and Angela Hawkins, IU reeled off a flurry of points as Northwestern went stone cold from the field. The Hoosiers went into halftime with a commanding 38-21 lead.\nOn the half, IU shot 17 of 30 (57 percent) while the Wildcats shot a less-impressive eight of 24.\nThe second half was much of the same, with a balanced scoring attack from the Hoosiers holding off several attempted comebacks from Northwestern. The IU lead was cut to as little as 13, but the Cream and Crimson held on for the victory.\n"It was a great game where a lot of people got a lot of minutes," said IU coach Sharon Versyp. "I was very pleased with the effort, and our players did the best they could."\nValentin led four Hoosiers in double digits with 19 points, while also pulling down seven rebounds, distributing three assists and helping the Hoosier defense with five steals.\nFor Valentin though, the record is behind her, and she can go back to focusing on the games. \n"I don't really think about (free throws)," Valentin said. "I just try and block it all out."\nAt halftime, in a radio interview, assistant athletic director Tim Fitzpatrick talked about the magnitude of Valentin's free-throw record. \n"What I marvel at is that there are a lot of people excited or concerned about it," Fitzpatrick said. "But Cyndi doesn't seem to be one of them."\nThe missed free throw marked Valentin's first missed attempt since a Nov. 26, 2005, game against Bowling Green. The senior dismissed the speculation of the miss being intentional.\n"No, I didn't mean to miss it," Valentin said with a laugh after the game. "I just happened to miss it. I didn't miss it intentionally."\nThe victory brought IU to 9-7 overall and back above .500 in conference play with a 3-2 record.\nIU will now have a week off before it travels to Columbus, Ohio for a game with the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes.