Hawkeyes Prevail in Battle of Top 20 Teams

 

Jan. 4, 2015

By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The No. 20 University of Iowa women’s basketball team won its fifth game in a row — and second straight on the road — Sunday, 79-72, against No. 16 Rutgers in front of 2,542 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.

University of Iowa senior guard Melissa Dixon scored 21 points and made 6-of-10 from 3-point range. She is now Iowa’s all-time record holder for most 3-point field goals in a career (263) — two more than Lindsey Meder made from 1998-2002.

“It always goes back to my teammates,” Dixon said. “They are always looking for that extra pass and they are so unselfish. We just play together as a team.”

UI head coach Lisa Bluder calls Dixon “instant life.” With 17 minutes to play, the Hawkeyes trailed, 40-38. Dixon sank back-to-back 3-point field goals and they led the rest of the game.

1st 2nd Final No. 20 Iowa (11-2, 2-0) 34 45 79 No. 16 Rutgers (10-4, 1-2) 30 42 72 ? Box Score | Attendance: 2,542 Statistical Leaders ? Melissa Dixon — 21 points, 6-10 3-point FG ? Samantha Logic — 17 points, 6 assists, 7-10 FG ? Bethany Doolittle — 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6-10 FG Stats at a Glance IOWA RUT FG Percentage 51.8 41.5 3-Point FG Percentage 45.5 18.2 FT Percentage 45.8 88.9 Total Rebounds 34 41 Points in the Paint 32 28 Points off Turnovers 16 13

“She is unbelievable. We’ll take an open 3 from Melissa any day,” Bluder said. “Congratulations goes out to her.”

The Hawkeyes led more than 33 minutes of the game and were on top, 69-56, with 6:23 remaining.

Iowa improved to 11-2 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference; Rutgers is 10-4, 1-2.

The Hawkeyes shot 51.8 percent from the field (29-of-56) and 45.5 percent from the 3-point range (10-of-22), but an uncharacteristically low 45.8 percent from the free throw line (11-of-24). Rutgers shot 41.5 percent from the field and made just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. The Scarlet Knights made 16-of-18 free throws.

UI senior Samantha Logic shot 7-of-10 from the field and scored 17 points. She added six assists. Senior Bethany Doolittle was 6-of-10 from the field, scoring 14 points, with eight rebounds. Sophomore Ally Disterhoft added 14 points and made 5-of-6 free throws.

The six assists give Logic 702 for her career, surpassing Nebraska’s Lindsey Moore for sixth in Big Ten history.

“It’s a great win for us for a number of reasons,” Bluder said. “It’s our first road game in the Big Ten and it’s always nice to get that start in the right direction. Last year we had a pretty good road win percentage in the Big Ten (6-2), so hopefully we’re keeping that up with this veteran group of players.

“Also, it’s a top 20 win and any time you can get a top 20 road win, that’s big. We have a lot of respect for Rutgers, they are a great basketball team.”

Kahleah Copper of Rutgers led all players in scoring with 22 points. Tyler Scaife added 20.

Iowa returns to the road Thursday, Jan. 8, against Illinois (9-4, 0-1) with a 7 p.m. (CT) tip from the State Farm Center.

“We go on the road again, so two road games in the Big Ten in a row,” Bluder said. “But when you’re on break, I would rather be traveling. We aren’t missing school, so bring on the road games during the break.”