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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Neither a Midwestern blizzard nor a road game at Northwestern could cool the hottest team in the Big Ten Conference on Thursday evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The University of Iowa women's basketball team won for the fifth consecutive time, 70-55, against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes improved to 14-7 overall, 7-3 in conference play. Northwestern fell to 4-17, 0-9. It was Iowa's 13th consecutive victory against the Wildcats, but more importantly, it leaves the Hawkeyes in a three-way tie for first in the Big Ten (with Ohio State and Purdue).

"I'm really happy for the team," UI head coach Lisa Bluder said. "They've worked really, really hard for this."
Iowa senior Megan Skouby led all players with 23 points and seven rebounds. Kristi Smith and Wendy Ausdemore scored 15 points apiece. Johanna Solverson scored nine points and added seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The Hawkeyes won the rebounding battle, 49-34, and made 16 of 21 free throws (76.2 percent).

Hawkeyes Stay Hot at Northwestern :: Huge First Half Boosts Iowa Into Big Ten Lead