Another Big Ten matchup, another Iowa women’s basketball victory in the win column!
The Iowa Hawkeyes won their sixth consecutive game, a 55-43 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, to improve to 18-7 (8-6 Big Ten). The win continues to help the Hawkeyes’ NCAA Tournament chances as they climb the seeding lines.
Led by veteran scorers and a strong defensive performance, Iowa continues to round into form and play some of its best basketball down the stretch.
With a few days off before the Hawkeyes take on the No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes in a pivotal Big Ten contest, here are the takeaways from the home victory over the Scarlet Knights.
Veteran scorers leading the way
Iowa was led by veteran scoring in this one. Sydney Affolter rattled off a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds while Lucy Olsen continued her scoring tear by hanging 27 points on 11 of 19 shooting.
This type of scoring is what can lead a team in March when veteran scoring and offensive play are magnified. Olsen and Affolter are two veterans Iowa can lean on when things get tense.
Defense wins down the stretch
This was quite the defensive showing from the Hawkeyes in a game that it needed to lead the way. While Iowa shot 37% from the field, its defense saved the day.
Iowa held Rutgers to 43 points. More impressively, the Hawkeyes held the Scarlet Knights to 15-49 (30.6%) shooting from the field. That is smothering defense, and how you have to win ugly games late in the season.
Paint domination
Iowa dominated the paint as it has the last few times ti has taken the court. Iowa outrebounded Rutgers, 37-31, and had more offensive and defensive rebounds.
More impressively, the Hawkeyes outscored the Scarlet Knights by a wide margin in the paint (22-8). This type of paint domination comes from Jan Jensen and is a mentality she has instilled in the Hawkeyes.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.
Follow Riley on X:Â @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Takeaways from Iowa women’s basketball winning over Rutgers
