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(03/27/06 7:39am)
MILWAUKEE -- The final buzzer echoed through the Al Maguire Center Friday night as the Marquette fans cheered their team's WNIT quarterfinals victory. Quietly in front of the scorer's table, the 2005-06 IU women's basketball team came together one last time and then walked off the court together while the PA announcer thanked both players and fans for a great game.\nAnd that was it for seniors Cyndi Valentin and Jenny DeMuth. \nFriday night's 57-54 loss at Marquette was the last collegiate game for the two seniors, who helped lead the team to a 19-14 record in IU coach Sharon first year at the helm of the Hoosiers.\n"Cyndi and Jenny have brought so much pride to the IU women's basketball program," Versyp said. "I've been very fortunate to coach them this year."\nFriday evening's loss came down to one last shot for the Hoosiers. Though the attempt did not drop, the senior captain Valentin nearly willed the ball into the basket.\n"We didn't want Cyndi to get the ball," said Marquette coach Terri Mitchell. "She's an amazing player. Just look at what she did at Indiana State and then tonight again. That's what big-time players do."\nEven when things seemed bleak for the Hoosiers, the seniors knew they were still in the game.\n"This team has never thought 'once you're down, you're out.'" DeMuth said. "We've always fought back, and I think we proved that at Indiana State when we were down the whole game and came back. The thought of losing never really crossed our minds."\nSo for the two seniors, their IU careers are finished. However, they will not be remembered for that last loss, but rather for what they did during the course of their careers in the cream and crimson. Both seniors rank in the top 10 in several career statistics at IU.\nBloomington native Valentin currently sits atop the all-time free throw percentage -- 88 percent -- while she climbed into the top 10 in career points this season, finishing her four years at IU with 1,769 points.\n"With Cyndi, she really is one of the best point guards in the Big Ten," Versyp said. "And Terri Mitchell said tonight, 'maybe the best point guard (out of all the point guards) in the Big East.'"\nFor DeMuth, the road was a little bumpier, but she joined Valentin in the record books. Her 1,542 career points stand seventh all-time, while she also holds the all-time records for free throws made and attempted and career steals.\n"For (Jenny) to come back after two ACL injuries within six months was just a huge inspiration for our team," Versyp said. "With her coming back, it allowed us to have a dream year."\nThe next challenge for Versyp is to continue to build the IU women's basketball program without the two mainstays in the line-up. Along with Valentin and DeMuth, the Hoosiers are losing seniors Angie Hawkins, Brigett Branson and Kali Kullberg.\n"They really became two great leaders," Versyp said. "They weren't great leaders in the beginning, but I tell you what, they're going to be very, very missed"
(03/27/06 7:17am)
MILWAUKEE -- In the closing seconds of Friday night's WNIT matchup with Marquette, senior guard Cyndi Valentin found herself in a position most players can only dream of. With 11 seconds remaining in the game and the IU women's basketball team down three points, Valentin had the ball in her hands with the chance to send the game into overtime.\nBut luck was not on IU's side Friday as Valentin missed a 3-pointer from the right wing with four seconds left. Marquette rebounded the errant shot and dribbled out the clock to preserve the 57-54 victory for the Golden Eagles.\n"It was 11 seconds left, and we were trying to penetrate and pitch," Valentin said. "I was open, and the shot just didn't go in."\nThe senior guard came up big once again for IU, scoring the Hoosiers' last 10 points of the game to keep the score within reach, but she was unable to clear that final hurdle.\nAfter struggling through a sloppy first half that saw IU shoot just 33 percent from the field, the Hoosiers picked up the intensity in the second half.\nComing out of a timeout with barely more than 15 minutes left in the second half, IU coach Sharon Versyp turned to her bench. The junior trio of Carrie Smith, Annika Boyd and Leah Enterline sparked the Hoosiers into a 13-4 run that was capped off by two free throws from senior forward Jenny DeMuth. The free throws gave IU its first lead of the game at 42-41.\n"We had some great bench play today," Versyp said. "Carrie, Annika and Leah came in and gave us some great scoring and great defense to change the tide."\nMarquette quickly took back the momentum, scoring three-point plays on consecutive possessions to reclaim the lead. The Golden Eagles continued their run, going up by as many as seven points in the final five minutes.\nValentin once again took over the game, scoring IU's last 10 points, but her last shot didn't fall through the net. The senior finished the game with 21 points to lead all scorers -- 13 coming in the second half.\nMarquette relied on balanced scoring throughout the game. Freshman guard Krystal Ellis led the Golden Eagles with 15 points while all five Marquette starters notched at least seven points.\n"It was a great basketball game, and we knew it would be a great battle," Versyp said. "We had a good look at the end, but it just didn't fall."\nThe season-ending loss dropped IU to 19-14 on the year while Marquette moves on to play Big East rival Pittsburgh Monday night.\nFollowing the win for her squad, Marquette coach Terri Mitchell complimented IU's effort in charging back into the game.\n"I give IU so much credit," Mitchell said. "They never gave up. What you saw tonight was gutsy performances from both teams"
(03/24/06 4:49am)
For the IU women's basketball team, the postseason is uncharted waters. The last Hoosier team to make a postseason tournament was the 2001-02 squad that steam-rolled its way through the Big Ten Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament.\nNow, four seasons later, all the players and coaching staff have changed with the exception of one player -- fifth-year senior forward Jenny DeMuth.\nAs a freshman during the 2001-02 season, DeMuth played in all 31 games for IU, including 27 as a starter, and averaged 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.\nThe senior forward said she sees similarities between this year's team and the 2002 squad that made it to the NCAA tourney.\n"Through the past few games, this team has definitely come together," DeMuth said. "When I was a freshman, that's what happened when we were playing. Our seniors stepped up, and we definitely came together so there are similarities"
(03/21/06 5:50am)
TERRE HAUTE -- Senior guard Cyndi Valentin did not want to be denied. \nIn Monday night's second round WNIT game against Indiana State, Valentin scored IU's last 10 points of the game to lead the Hoosiers to a 68-62 victory, extending their season at least one more game.\nDown 59-58 in the closing minutes, IU had the ball following two Indiana State free throws. Valentin dribbled up the court and, rolling off a pick from senior center Angie Hawkins, found herself wide open at the top of the key.\n"I think (IU) coach (Sharon) Versyp made a great call to call that play, but I was wide open," Valentin said.\nAfter the senior drilled the wide open 3-pointer, the Sycamores quickly replied with a basket of their own. \nValentin responded again.\nOn IU's next possession, the senior captain broke down her defender, dribbled behind her back into the lane and, with her left hand, scooped the ball into the basket as a foul was called. Valentin would hit the free throw, giving the Hoosiers all of a lead they would need.\nShe would go on to hit four consecutive free throws in the game's closing seconds to hold off Indiana State and preserve the IU victory.\nFor the first 30 minutes of the game, it appeared that IU's season was nearing its end. Indiana State's biggest lead was only eight points, but the Sycamores seemed to have a stranglehold on the Hoosiers.\nVersyp called for a defensive change in the second half, switching her squad to man-to-man defense. The change sparked the team, allowing IU to take its first lead of the game, 56-55.\n"As far as the team, we didn't want to end our careers like that," Valentin said. "We wanted to fight, stay alive and keep playing. We don't want our season to end."\nValentin led all scorers with 20 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.\nAnd while Valentin's clutch performance down the stretch gave the Hoosiers the win, it was freshman forward Whitney Thomas who kept IU in the game.\n"Whitney had an amazing game for us just looking at her stat line," Versyp said. "She continues to get better and better every time she steps out on the court."\nThomas finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals before fouling out in the game's final minutes.\nThe loss was just the second home defeat of the year for Indiana State and their sixth overall.\n"We knew coming in here tonight that ISU was a great basketball team," Versyp said. "I just thought it was a great basketball game with a great atmosphere."\nNext up for the Hoosiers in the WNIT is Marquette, who beat Iowa State on Monday night.\n"We just enjoy this win and tomorrow focus on who we play next," said senior forward Jenny DeMuth. "We're going to get some rest and go from there"
(03/20/06 5:33am)
For the IU women's basketball team, the postseason is the postseason whether it is the NCAA or the National Invitation Tournament, but the goal remains the same -- keep winning.\nSaturday afternoon at Assembly Hall, in their first postseason tournament since the 2001-02 season, the Hoosiers won their first round WNIT matchup with the Rice Owls 67-57.\nIU had not played a game since the March 5 Big Ten semifinal versus Purdue, but the Hoosiers showed no signs of rust early in the contest. Senior forward Jenny DeMuth scored IU's first six points while the Hoosiers unleashed a full-court press on the Owls. The pressure worked, as Rice committed 12 first-half turnovers.\n"I wasn't sure how we'd play, but the press in the beginning really helped get our bodies moving," IU coach Sharon Versyp said.\nComing out of a timeout with 12 minutes remaining in the half, the Hoosiers scored nine straight points to extend their lead to 12 points. Two Rice 3-pointers brought the Owls within eight points before senior guard Cyndi Valentin knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to bring the score to 38-28 heading into the break.\n"Ending the first half on a positive note was good because they had made that run," Valentin said.\nIn the second half, Rice continued to chip away at the deficit, but for every basket the Owls scored, IU tallied one of its own. With leading scorer Lauren Neaves saddled with foul trouble, the Hoosiers took advantage in the post, exploiting Rice's lack of inside depth.\n"With (Neaves) on the bench, we wanted to crash the boards," senior center Angie Hawkins said. "We needed to keep pounding it in and looking for the open shot."\nFor the game, the senior trio of Valentin (26 points), DeMuth (20 points), and Hawkins (nine points) combined to score 55 of the 67 total points for IU.\n"Cyndi, Jenny, and Angie played unbelievable today," Versyp said. "Rice is a good team. They never gave up."\nNext up for the Hoosiers is Indiana State tonight. The Sycamores are an impressive 27-5 on the season, including a 12-1 mark on their home court. IU is not letting ISU's home court advantage intimidate them. The Hoosiers do not want their season to end.\n"We're just excited to play," Valentin said. "This is the first postseason in awhile for us so we're going to do everything we can to keep playing."\nIndiana State won its first round WNIT contest last Thursday against Eastern Michigan and will be hosting its fifth consecutive WNIT contest.\n"Indiana State is a great team," Versyp said. "With in-state teams, it is always a rivalry, but we've got to play our game"
(03/06/06 6:08am)
INDIANAPOLIS -- In a Feb. 19 game at West Lafayette, the IU women's basketball team was able to come back from a first-half deficit to ultimately upset then-No. 10 Purdue. \nIn Sunday's Big Ten semifinal, the tables were turned similarly on the sixth-seeded Hoosiers as they were unable to come back from a first-half deficit, losing to No. 2-seed Purdue 67-41 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.\nIU scored the first points of the game on two Cyndi Valentin free throws, but that would be the only time the Hoosiers led the rest of the game.\nThe Purdue defense limited IU to just three field goals in the first half while also forcing 13 turnovers.\n"We came out with a vengeance and a lot of intensity," said Purdue forward Erin Lawless. "We knew what we had to do to win this game."\nWith the Hoosiers sputtering on offense, the Boilermakers took advantage, taking a 28-10 halftime lead.\n"From the start, we never got into a rhythm offensively," Valentin said. "Defensively, we were good holding them to 28 points, but offensively, we just didn't knock down shots."\nTaking the floor for the second half, IU scored two quick baskets to cut Purdue's lead to 14. Limited by foul trouble -- all five IU starters had at least three fouls -- the Hoosiers were unable to maintain the momentum. \nThe Boilermakers continued to suffocate the cream and crimson defensively and were able to cruise the rest of the way.\nThe outing was the lowest scoring output of the year for IU. The previous low was 45 points against Ohio State on Feb. 5.\n"Purdue played great defense," said IU coach Sharon Versyp. "We didn't knock down some open shots and obviously when that happens, it manifests itself."\nValentin was the lone Hoosier in double digits with 21 points, including 17 in the second half. Freshman forward Whitney Thomas wrapped up her Big Ten tourney with seven points and 10 rebounds. The freshman found herself tangling with Purdue's towering front line all game, eventually fouling out in the game's closing minutes.\n"Purdue did a great job crashing the boards," Thomas said. "We missed some block outs and that hurt us so we had to work with what we had."\nPurdue will go on to face the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in Monday night's Big Ten Championship at Conseco.\nSunday's loss dropped the Hoosiers to 17-13 on the season -- a seven-game improvement over last year's 10-18 mark. Even with the loss, Versyp said she is proud of the way her team played this weekend in Indianapolis.\n"It hurts because you didn't want to lose, but someone always has to in the end," Versyp said. "But I'm very proud of these ladies."\nThe Hoosiers will now wait until March 13 for the NCAA selection show to see if they make the postseason tournament.
(03/03/06 6:37pm)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Coming off two tough road losses that saw them drop to the sixth seed in conference, the IU women's basketball team wasted no time Thursday night putting those defeats behind it, trouncing 11-seed Michigan 68-52.\nThe Hoosiers took the court looking like a different team than the one that lost to Minnesota and Iowa in the last two weeks.\n"Those last couple games we came out flat," senior guard Cyndi Valentin said. "Tonight we came out with a lot of energy, and that really helped us in the end."\nWith the cream and crimson crowd on their feet in support, the Hoosiers took an early 9-2 lead. Using a balanced scoring attack, IU continued to build its lead.\nComing out of a media timeout with less than 12 minutes remaining in the half, Valentin and Jenny DeMuth went on a run of their own, highlighted by two Valentin 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.\nThe Hoosier onslaught continued as DeMuth hit four late free throws to give IU a 40-20 advantage heading into the break.\nComing out of the locker room, IU bounced back from a quick Wolverine run as DeMuth scored six straight points.\nAt the 10-minute mark, senior Brigett Branson hit one of two free throws, her ninth point of the game and a new career high. Branson's free throw gave IU a 53-37 lead.\nMichigan's defense solidified in the game's final 10 minutes, limiting the Hoosiers offensively as the Wolverines chipped away at the IU lead.\nWith three minutes remaining, Michigan drew as close as 11 points, but Valentin continued her strong offensive game, scoring five points to ice the game for IU.\n"The game of basketball is a game of runs," said IU coach Sharon Versyp. "They got within 11, but we were able to keep on coming."\nFor the first round victory, Valentin led the Hoosiers with 19 points and 8 assists. DeMuth was not far behind, notching 17 points of her own while also pulling down eight rebounds.\nNext up for the Hoosiers in the Big Ten tourney is No. 3-seeded Minnesota. The Golden Gophers won both of the regular season contests with IU, including a Feb. 23 65-58 win in Minneapolis.\n"It's hard to beat a team three times in a season," Demuth said. "We're going to lay it all out there and hopefully come out on top in the end."\nThe Hoosiers realize the Big Ten tourney is a whole new season, Versyp said.\n"The Big Ten is up for grabs," she said. "Any team that takes the floor could win the tourney so we just have to worry about ourselves right now." \nFriday's game is scheduled to tip off 25 minutes after the conclusion of the 6 p.m. contest between Purdue and Illinois.
(02/27/06 5:37am)
With a Big Ten Tournament seed on the line, the IU women's basketball team fell at Iowa 79-70 Sunday afternoon in its regular season finale.\nHeading into the game, the Hoosiers and the Hawkeyes were deadlocked in fifth place in the Big Ten with identical 9-6 records. The IU loss drops the Hoosiers to sixth place in conference while Iowa remains in fifth and receives a first-round bye in the Big Ten tourney.\nIU reversed its recent habit of falling behind early, taking an initial 8-4 lead Sunday, but the Hawkeyes exploded to score 18 straight points.\n"Those first four minutes we came out really flat," said senior guard Cyndi Valentin. "They went on that run, and we never recovered."\nDown 22-8, the cream and crimson slowly clawed back into the game, drawing within five points at the half. \nWith her team down, Valentin took over the game offensively in the second half, scoring 21 points. She would finish with 30 for the game, shooting 10-21 from the field and hitting all nine of her free throw attempts.\nValentin's Herculean effort was not enough for IU against Iowa. The Hawkeyes shot 49 percent from the field and hit 29 of 36 free throws.\n"In the end, we just fouled them too much," Valentin said. "The intensity of the game was pretty high, and we battled the whole way."\nThe Hoosiers entered Sunday's contest with a 35 percent clip from long range on the season, but IU was only able to knock down four of 20 three-point attempts.\nIU cut Iowa's lead to as little as five points, 56-51, but it was too little as the Hawkeyes hit their free throws late, clinching the victory and the fifth seed.\nSupporting Valentin in the loss was fellow senior Jenny DeMuth who chipped in with 19 points and 11 rebounds. When IU fell behind early, DeMuth led the charge back into the game, scoring 14 first-half points.\nWith the regular season now behind them, the Hoosiers will begin to prepare for the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, which begins Thursday. Sixth-seeded IU will face off against 11th-seed Michigan Thursday night at Conseco Fieldhouse.\n"We have no pressure, no stress," said IU coach Sharon Versyp prior to this weekend's games. "You just have to worry about controlling your own destiny. We're just hoping for postseason right now, whether it is NIT or NCAA"
(02/24/06 5:16am)
With the chance to clinch a top-five spot for next week's Big Ten Tournament, the IU women's basketball team failed to capitalize against No. 22 Minnesota Thursday night in a 65-58 loss.\nThe loss snapped IU's three-game winning streak and dropped it to 9-6 in conference. The win for Minnesota propels it into fourth place in the Big Ten while the Hoosiers dropped back into a fifth-place tie with Iowa. The Hawkeyes defeated Illinois Thursday.\n"We battled back, but our team defense was lacking," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "But playing on the road, we did a good job."\nBattling early foul trouble, the Hoosiers continued a recent trend of falling behind in the game's opening minutes as Minnesota took an early 12-6 lead.\nThe Hoosiers strong shooting from the charity stripe -- 10-for-14 -- kept IU in the game as Minnesota took the 26-22 halftime lead. IU made only six field goals on 16 attempts in the first half.\nSenior guard Cyndi Valentin and sophomore guard Nikki Smith picked it up offensively early in the second half, keeping IU in the game. The backcourt duo scored 16 straight points for IU, including four 3-pointers.\nAs the offense clicked, the Hoosier defense failed to slow down the Golden Gopher offense. Minnesota answered every IU basket with a field goal of its own as it slowly pulled away.\nA Whitney Thomas layup cut the Minnesota lead to just eight points at 48-40, but a flurry of long-range three-point shots extended the lead to 16 points. \nWith the clock winding down under five minutes and the game seemingly in hand for Minnesota, IU unleashed its own flurry of 3-pointers to cut the lead down to just five points with 1:45 left in the game.\nHowever, a late Minnesota layup nailed down the game for the Golden Gophers as the Hoosiers simply ran out of time in mounting their comeback.\nValentin, IU's leading scorer on the year, was held to just nine points as she tangled with Minnesota's tough defense and her own foul trouble.\n"(Minnesota) took Cyndi totally out of the game," Versyp said. "Nikki (Smith) stepped in and was able to knock some shots down."\nWith Valentin limited offensively, Smith scored a career-high 18 points, 17 coming in the second half including four 3-pointers.\nIU will wrap up the regular season Sunday at Iowa. The winner will receive a first-round bye in the Big Ten tourney. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
(02/23/06 5:15am)
Coming off an overtime thriller against nationally ranked Purdue last weekend, the IU women's basketball team will take the court tonight versus No. 22 Minnesota with hopes of claiming a top-five spot in the Big Ten.\nThe Hoosiers (15-10 overall, 9-5 in conference) traveled to West Lafayette for Sunday's conference matchup with their in-state rivals. A deep Cyndi Valentin 3-pointer sent the game into overtime, where the senior guard hit two free throws with seconds remaining to ice the victory for IU.\n"She just didn't want to be denied at that point," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "We had a great opportunity and Cyndi saw that and it went in, which was huge. She's the one you want on the foul line at the end of the game."\nPrior to Sunday's victory, the Hoosiers had yet to win a game versus a ranked opponent this season.\n"We just want to continue to play hard and play extremely well on the road," Versyp said. "Wins and losses, you never know what's going to (be) happening, but I'm very pleased with where we're at."\nHeading into tonight's contest, IU is currently tied for fourth place in the Big Ten with the Golden Gophers. Not far behind in fifth place are the Iowa Hawkeyes, IU's opponent on the road Sunday.\nWith the Big Ten tournament a week away, the two road games could have huge ramifications for IU's seeding. On the tourney's first day, the top five teams in the conference receive byes and an extra day's rest.\nIn last season's tournament, all three teams that won on the first day of action went on to lose in the next day's contests.\n"We definitely want to go into the tournament in the top five," junior forward Carrie Smith said. "No matter what happens, we're going to fight and give our best effort."\nTonight's game with \nMinnesota will give IU the chance to exact revenge on the Golden Gophers. On Jan. 9, Minnesota defeated the Hoosiers 69-64. The loss dropped IU to 8-7 on the season.\nSince that loss, the Hoosiers have looked like a different team, going 7-3 in their last 10 games including a current three-game winning streak.\n"We've come together a lot since the last time we've played them," junior guard Leah Enterline said. "Hopefully, we can go in and play hard."\nBecause of her hard play over the weekend, Valentin received her second straight Big Ten Player of the Week award, sharing the honor with Ohio State guard Marscilla Packer. Valentin is the first Hoosier to receive the award in two \nconsecutive weeks.
(02/13/06 5:42am)
Sunday was Senior Day for the IU women's basketball team. It was only fitting, then, that star senior guard Cyndi Valentin made the biggest contribution in IU's 60-46 victory over Northwestern.\nIn leading the Hoosiers to victory, Valentin scored 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and stole the ball twice.\n"The win was important in general just in the Big Ten to get where we want to in the postseason," Valentin said.\nEarly in Sunday's game, Northwestern refused to cooperate, taking a 12-2 lead as IU struggled to get a bucket. \n"Senior Day is always hard," said IU coach Sharon Versyp. "It's always a tough game emotionally. I'm glad we got through it. (Falling behind early) is a concern and we'll make sure to adjust it this week."\nNot wanting to lose her final game in Assembly Hall, Valentin proceeded to score 18 of IU's next 21 points, including three straight 3-pointers as the Hoosiers took a five-point lead into the break.\n"I was feeling it late in the first half," Valentin said. "Our offense was getting stagnant, and I was doing what I can to help my team win so I kept shooting."\nIU continued its hot shooting early in the second half, extending its lead to 12 points at 41-29. Northwestern went on a run of its own, cutting the deficit to just seven points, but the senior combo of Valentin and Jenny DeMuth put the team on their backs and carried the Hoosiers to their eighth Big Ten victory of the year. \nFollowing the game, IU honored the five-member senior class of Valentin, DeMuth, Angie Hawkins, Brigett Branson and Kali Kullberg. Each senior was presented with a framed personal jersey and given the opportunity to address the crowd of 3,047.\n"It was huge for us to go out like that -- this being the last time I'll ever play on this floor," Branson said following her address. "Getting a win definitely felt good."\nThe Hoosiers realize they cannot linger on their last home game with one final road trip still ahead of them. \n"I told myself I wasn't going to be sad today because we still have a lot of basketball to play," Kullberg said in her post-game address to the crowd. \nWith their home schedule now complete, the 14-10 Hoosiers will head out on the road for a three-game road trip before heading to Indianapolis for the Big Ten tournament, which begins March 2. IU will lace it up next against in-state rival Purdue at 2 p.m. Sunday in West Lafayette.
(02/10/06 5:50am)
Almost 30 members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services made a self-titled "showing of support" Thursday night at Assembly Hall in protest of Penn State coach Rene Portland. \nPrior to the IU women's basketball game, a 58-43 win, the GLBTSSS members stood at the south entrance of Assembly Hall passing out flyers and stickers to the fans entering the arena.\nThe appearance came in conjunction with the arrival of the Penn State Nittany Lions to Bloomington. Portland, PSU's head coach, has been under fire in recent years for her handling of sexual orientation among her players.\nThis past fall, Portland came under intense scrutiny when a former player, Jennifer Harris, filed a lawsuit against Portland, Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and Penn State University that charged her with violating several federal and state laws.\n"This is not just about Coach Portland, but she is symbolic of the homophobia in athletics, especially in the NCAA," said Nancy Kallina, one of the GLBTSSS members present. "Our goal is to educate people that this (homophobia) is happening and that athletes are athletes no matter what."\nHarris, who played for Penn State from 2003 to 2005, alleges that Portland repeatedly questioned her sexual orientation, threatened to kick Harris off the team if she discovered she was a lesbian and even told players not to associate with her because she believed she was gay.\nFinally, Portland allegedly told Harris to find another school to play for in 2005. Harris has since transferred to James Madison University where she will play for her remaining two years of eligibility.\n"We have to educate people," said Kim Davis, another member of the GLBTSSS present Thursday night. "Being a gay athlete can be extremely troubling. The energy it takes to hide being gay is quite a detriment to all athletes and coaches."\nWith Portland's controversy comes perhaps the Big Ten's most impressive coaching resume. With nearly 700 wins, Portland is the seventh-winningest women's coach of all-time. She has also won four Big Ten Coach of the Year titles, and has led three U.S. Junior National teams. \nInstead of using Thursday night as a way to criticize Portland, the GLBTSSS members present took the chance to inform the fans of the issue. The flyers they distributed included a history of homophobia at Penn State, dating back to 1980 when then-Athletic Director Joe Paterno hired Portland as the head coach of the women's basketball team all the way up to 2005's incident with Harris.\nThe other side of the flyer contained information about a film showing next week. The film, "It Takes a Team," is 15 minutes long and explores how homophobia might impact athletes at IU, among other schools.\n"The video speaks about homophobia and all its ugliness," said Doug Bauder, the leader of the GLBTSSS members present at Assembly Hall. "People have to be aware that it is a reality."\nThe film will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday in Woodburn Hall Room 101. A discussion will follow the screening and those attending will be given an opportunity to sign a letter of support for all athletes, which will accompany a copy of "It Takes a Team" to be sent to Portland as a gift from IU sports fans.
(02/10/06 5:26am)
The Hoosiers did not let some early difficulties get in the way of their seventh Big Ten win last night, picking up a 58-43 victory against Penn State.\nBoth teams struggled in the first half offensively, but a late Hoosier run powered by senior forward Brigett Branson gave IU a six-point cushion going into the break. Branson came into the game averaging two points per game, but finished the night with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.\n"Brigett really played some solid minutes for us," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "For (the bench) to score some points for us is key as we go further down the stretch."\nAfter struggling mightily in the first half with just four points and six turnovers, senior guard Cyndi Valentin came out of the locker room rejuvenated. Led by Valentin, IU's all-around game began to click as Penn State's offense started to sputter.\nValentin led a 15-4 Hoosier run coming out of the break that gave IU a 37-20 lead. Penn State never gave up in the second half and drew as close as 10 points. But the Nittany Lions would get no closer.\nWith only 1:35 remaining in the game, senior forward Jenny DeMuth intercepted a lazy pass from Penn State freshman guard Brianne O'Rourke, dribbled the length of the court and laid the ball in to ice the game for the Hoosiers. DeMuth's third steal of the night -- the 211th of her career -- vaulted her into the top spot on IU's all-time career steals list.\nOn the night, Penn State shot better from the floor than IU -- 34 percent compared to 33 -- but the Hoosier defense allowed IU to hold on to the hard-fought victory.\n"Both teams got killed physically," Versyp said. "I'd rather have games that way than have a little touch foul and have people sitting. You have to play through it and some days it's good, some days it's not so good."\nIU ended up pulling down 42 rebounds in the game, including 15 offensive.\n"We've played some pretty physical teams in the Big Ten so we know what to expect," freshman forward Whitney Thomas said. \nThomas only scored one point against Penn State but finished with 10 rebounds.\nRegrouping from her miserable first half, Valentin rebounded to score 18 of her 22 points in the second half as IU claimed its 13th victory of the season.\n"Coach V helped me. She gave me a kick in the butt," Valentin said. "My teammates were behind me, telling me that the second half was my half and that I'll come out and play well." \nIn the last matchup between IU and Penn State on Jan. 1, the Hoosiers snapped the Nittany Lions' 26-game home winning streak. \nIU will play its last home game of the season at 2 p.m. Sunday against \nNorthwestern.
(02/06/06 5:15am)
The IU women's basketball team's struggles with ranked Big Ten opponents continued Sunday in a disappointing 61-45 loss to No. 7 Ohio State. All five of IU's conference losses have been to ranked opponents.\nThe Buckeyes wasted no time showing why they are one of the nation's best teams, jumping out to an early 13-2 advantage. Ohio State's zone defense caused problems for the Hoosiers, limiting them to just seven of 24 shooting in the first half.\nDriven by a player control foul against senior guard Cyndi Valentin, IU fought back with the Cream and Crimson crowd booing the call. Sophomore guard Nikki Smith hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to bring IU within six points.\n"Nikki has been in a lull for awhile," coach Sharon Versyp said. "I'm glad to see she's stepping up and doing the things that she does well."\nOhio State held off IU going into the half, leading 27-19. The Hoosiers came out of the locker room re-energized and scored two quick buckets to bring them within four. \nAfter Valentin picked up her fourth foul, the Buckeyes took advantage, knocking down three quick shots that gave them the 39-30 lead.\nRefusing to go away, even with the team's leading scorer on the bench, IU made another run of its own to close within three points. The Hoosiers seemed ready to take control when Valentin returned to the game, only to draw her fifth foul with 5:18 left on a reach in the backcourt.\n"I got into foul trouble early and never really got into the rhythm of the game," Valentin said. "It's my fault committing some stupid fouls so it's very frustrating."\nValentin leads the team in minutes played this season with almost 35 a game, but her foul trouble limited the senior to just 25 minutes and eight points against the Buckeyes.\nWith Valentin out and senior center Angie Hawkins on the bench with five fouls as well, the Hoosiers were never able to regain momentum and lost 61-45.\n"Ohio State is a hard team to play catch-up with," Smith said. "We let them set the tone from the beginning."\nSmith was the lone IU player in double-digits with 12 points -- all of them on 3-pointers.\nFollowing the game, Versyp expressed her disappointment with her team. \n"I wasn't pleased with anything with this game, not one thing," Versyp said. "(We were) very undisciplined today, not ready to go, mentally out of it."\nIU will continue its three-game home stand at 7 p.m. Thursday as it attempts to rebound against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
(02/03/06 5:12am)
With No. 7 Ohio State on the horizon, the IU women's basketball team won a 71-64 thriller Thursday night in Madison, Wisc., against the Badgers. The Hoosiers trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, but fought back and held off a tenacious Badgers team.\n"Give Wisconsin a lot of credit," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "We finished the game at the end. We held them where we were supposed to hold them." \nThe win was the third conference road victory of the year for IU.\n"No game is easy on the road," senior forward Jenny DeMuth said. "We battled from beginning to end, and it feels great to get the win."\nBehind sophomore guard Jolene Anderson, the Badgers recovered from an early deficit to take a 19-13 lead.\nBattling early foul trouble with the frontcourt, IU turned to junior forward Carrie Smith. Smith helped spark the offense, scoring five first-half points. A Smith three-point play capped off an IU run that tied the game at 27. However, Wisconsin recovered to take a 33-29 lead at halftime. \nIU stalled on offense as the Badgers took an early second-half lead. Unlike Sunday, when the Hoosiers were unable to come back from a large deficit, IU went on an 11-0 run of its own to take a 45-44 lead.\nThe two teams exchanged baskets before 3-pointers on consecutive possessions from junior guard Leah Enterline and Valentin allowed the Hoosiers to extend their lead.\nThe offensive dominance continued as IU went on another run, 12-0, punctuated by two buckets from senior center Angie Hawkins to give the Cream and Crimson a 61-50 advantage.\nWith the game falling away from the Badgers, Wisconsin began to pressure IU in the frontcourt. The Hoosiers struggled to adjust, allowing the Badgers to edge closer with only minutes remaining.\nComing out of a timeout, with its lead down to just three, Versyp called for the "flea-flicker." Valentin inbounded the ball to DeMuth on the baseline who then baseball-passed the ball down court to a sprinting Valentin who laid the ball in to give the Hoosiers a five-point lead. IU held on, winning the tight game in exciting fashion.\nVersyp said following the game that she "dreamt about the play" the previous night and that it "worked out perfectly" for her Hoosiers Thursday night. The victory lifted IU to 12-9 overall and 6-4 in conference play.\n"Wisconsin is a good team, and this is a big win for us," Valentin said.\nThe Hoosiers will now return home Sunday for their match up with No. 7 Ohio State, which is currently in second place in the Big Ten.
(02/02/06 5:52am)
Coming off a tough road loss at Michigan State last weekend, the IU women's basketball team will wrap up its two-game road trip tonight against a Wisconsin team that has had its own share of struggles in its Big Ten schedule.\nThe Hoosiers led much of the game Sunday in East Lansing, clinging to a lead as late as 6:10 left in the second half. But IU had difficulty dealing with a tenacious Michigan State press that limited the Hoosiers to just one field goal over a span of seven minutes as the Hoosiers succumbed 65-59.\nIU coach Sharon Versyp is looking for her team to focus more in the closing moments.\n"We have to finish games like that and learn from our mistakes," Versyp said. "If we don't, we're not going to get any better. We just need to win some close games."\nAll four of IU's losses in the Big Ten have been to ranked opponents by a combined 26 points. \nThe Hoosiers believe that the close games with ranked conference opponents will benefit them down the road, including when they travel to Indianapolis for the Big Ten tournament.\n"We're always constantly growing with every game," said sophomore guard Nikki Smith. "We have to take the losses and learn from them and grow from them."\nThe Hoosiers head into tonight's contest tied for fourth in the conference with a 5-4 record. The last IU team to win six conference games was the 2001-02 team that went on to win the Big Ten tournament.\nThe Badgers have struggled thus far in the Big Ten with a 2-7 record. Wisconsin snapped their five-game losing streak last weekend with a win against the last-place Michigan Wolverines.\nThe Hoosiers realize they cannot look past Wisconsin to their weekend matchup with Ohio State.\n"It's so crucial where we are in the Big Ten that you can't look past anyone," Smith said. "Everyone in the Big Ten is really talented. Wisconsin is a good team, and they've got people coming back from injury."\nTo beat the Badgers, the IU defense will have to limit sophomore guard Jolene Anderson, the fourth leading scorer in the Big Ten with an average of 17.7 points, and senior guard Ashley Josephson, Wisconsin's second leading 3-point shooter.\n"We need to shut down them down and really play great all-around defense," said junior guard Annika Boyd.\nTip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPNU.
(01/30/06 5:44am)
Coming off a dominating home win against Illinois last Thursday, the IU women's basketball team traveled to No. 16 Michigan State Sunday in hopes of jumping further ahead in the Big Ten standings.\nThe Hoosiers stuck with the Spartans for most of the game and held a lead as late as 6:10 in the second half, but ultimately lost 65-59.\n"It was a great environment today," IU coach Sharon Versyp said. "We're continuing to grow and get better."\nThe loss dropped the Hoosiers to 5-4 in conference and 11-9 overall and into a tie for fourth place in the Big Ten with the Spartans.\n"Their fans were really tough," senior guard Cyndi Valentin said. "It was a tough environment to play in."\nIU trailed for much of the first half, but senior forward Jenny DeMuth led a comeback with only a few minutes remaining. A Whitney Thomas layup with 3:49 left in the half tied the game. The basket was the only one of the night for the freshman forward, who also pulled down 11 rebounds.\nThe game went into halftime tied at 22. The IU defense limited the Spartans to just eight of 26 shooting in the first half.\nThe Hoosiers wasted no time in the second half, quickly taking the lead on a DeMuth jumper. Michigan State matched IU basket-for-basket before the Hoosiers began to pull away. A Valentin lay-in raised the lead to 42-33, giving the Hoosiers their biggest lead of the night, but it was all downhill for IU after that.\nMichigan State went on a 19-4 run of its own to take a 52-46 lead with 3:59 remaining in the game. IU was never able to regain the momentum, losing as the Spartans held on for the victory.\nDeMuth and Valentin were the only Hoosiers to notch double-digits in the game -- both seniors scored 24 points. The senior combo combined to score all 37 points IU put on the board in the second half. DeMuth also tallied six steals and five rebounds before fouling out in the game's final minutes.\n"We've proven we can play in front of big crowds, and we're going to have to do that in our next three road games," DeMuth said. \nIU will continue its stretch of road games Thursday at Wisconsin.
(01/26/06 5:50am)
While struggling through a difficult 2004-05 season, the IU women's basketball team finished dead last in the Big Ten in scoring average (51.7 ppg) and field goal percentage (.352 overall).\nThis season, under first year coach Sharon Versyp, the Hoosiers have moved up two spots into the 9-hole in the Big Ten with an average of 62.9 points per game. In comparing the two seasons, the jump in conference ranking might not seem like a major difference, but the increase in points has led to a jump in another important category -- wins.\nWith the season barely past the halfway point, Versyp's Hoosiers have matched their win total from last season, 10, heading into tonight's game against Illinois. \nWhen Versyp was hired, she set a goal of turning IU into an offensive team to be reckoned with.\n"Offensively, I have a different type of system," said Versyp. "My philosophy isn't about one player; it's about the whole team. They've really caught onto the system a little bit quicker than I thought."\nVersyp's plan has worked so far, as the Hoosiers have shown marked improvement on offense. This season's team is averaging 11.2 more points per game -- 62.9 compared to 51.7 -- and shooting five percentage points higher from the floor (.417 this season as opposed to .352 last season).\n"Us scoring some points has enabled us to win some games that we haven't won in the past," Versyp said. "They really have committed to being a team."\nVersyp instilling confidence in her team is not the only reason the Hoosiers have improved offensively this season. IU's success has corresponded with the return of senior forward Jenny DeMuth.\nDeMuth's numbers are down from her junior year (18.3 to 13.8 points per game), but her presence on the court has benefited the Hoosiers. IU struggled to put points on the board with senior guard Cyndi Valentin the Hoosiers' lone offensive threat.\nWith DeMuth back on the court, opposing teams can no longer focus solely on Valentin. Getting her running mate back has benefited Valentin the most, which is evident in her stats.\n"We definitely look for each other in the offense," DeMuth said. "If we get a steal, we know we're looking for the other."\nValentin's scoring average is up 2.4 points while her shooting percentage has jumped almost four points.\n"She requires the defense's attention so they have to close in on her," Valentin said. "That allows us to get a lot more open shots."\nIU's offense will be put to the test tonight against an Illinois team that is at the top in the Big Ten in field goal percentage allowed. The Hoosiers have struggled in Assembly Hall with a 4-5 record, yet have had no trouble putting the ball in the basket with an average of 63.2 points in their nine home games.\n"We have to execute our game plan," Versyp said. "We've got to be aggressive and physical. They're a great team, and we'll have our hands full"
(01/20/06 2:23am)
Last Thursday, the IU women's basketball team won its third Big Ten game of the year in a game at Northwestern. After the win, IU coach Sharon Versyp gave her team three days off before they would come back and prepare for their game with No. 7 Ohio State.\nIn the early moments of last night's game with the Buckeyes, it seemed that the extra rest had backfired for Versyp and the Hoosiers as Ohio State jumped out of the gates strong, taking an early 12-2 lead.\nThe persistent Hoosiers stuck with the ranked Buckeyes, clawing their way back into the game. An aggressive IU team slashed its way to a 16-12 advantage powered by freshman forward Whitney Thomas and senior guard Cyndi Valentin.\nThe lead was short-lived as Ohio State ended the half on a 15-4 run to give them a nine point advantage at the break.\nPrior to the game, Versyp identified slowing down Ohio State junior Jessica Davenport as a priority if her Hoosiers were going to pull off the upset.\n"We have to limit her touches and let everyone else beat us," Versyp said. "We have to take her out of the game with double and triple teams."\nAt the half, Davenport had scored only one basket and pulled down four rebounds as the IU defense pressured her every time she touched the ball.\nThe suffocating defense on the Big Ten Player of the Week continued in the second half, but Davenport's teammates stepped in to fill the scoring void.\nBuckeyes forward Brandie Hoskins and guard Marscilla Packer were there to break the Hoosier momentum each time the Ohio State lead dwindled.\nIU pulled within six points twice in the second frame, but that was as close as the Hoosiers would get.\nA late Valentin 3-pointer in the final minute shrunk the lead to ten, but the Buckeyes dribbled out the clock as the Hoosiers looked on. The 60-50 road loss dropped IU back to 3-3 in Big Ten play and 9-8 overall.\nOn the night, Valentin led IU with 18 points on seven of 15 shooting from the floor. Thomas chipped in with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes.\nThe Hoosiers will now return to Bloomington for two home games. The first game of the mini home stand will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Assembly Hall.
(01/13/06 5:14am)
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.