Hawkeyes Handle Rutgers to Win Sixth Straight

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Rutgers, 55-43, on Thursday night inside a sold-out Carver Hawkeye Arena. With the win, the Hawkeyes move to 8-6 in conference play with six straight wins.

Senior Lucy Olsen led the Hawkeyes with 27 points including 4-5 from three-point range. Sydney Affolter notched her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Rutgers started the game on a 5-0 run holding Iowa scoreless in the first two and a half minutes. Olsen led the surge for Iowa eight points, including a three-pointer in the final 1:30 of play. Iowa’s defense forced two shot clock violations and seven turnovers; however, the Hawkeyes trailed, 14-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Rutgers opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, but Olsen quickly responded with five straight points. In midst of the quarter, the Hawkeyes went on a 13-0 run holding the Scarlet Knights scoreless for seven and a half minutes, and Iowa took their first lead of the game with 8:15 left in the quarter. Olsen went 3-of-3 from behind the arc tallying 11 points in the quarter, helping Iowa build a 40-34 lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Hawkeyes extended their lead to as much as 10 points after Affolter sunk a three-pointer. Affolter led the quarter with six points, including two three-pointers, while Olsen also contributed six points. Iowa maintained their momentum and ended the quarter with a 46-37 lead.

Iowa's defense dominated the final 10 minutes, holding Rutgers to just six points and forcing five turnovers. The Hawkeyes also outrebounded Rutgers, 21-16 in the half to secure the victory over the Scarlet Knights.

POSTGAME NOTES
- Lucy Olsen paced Iowa with 27 points shooting 11-of-19 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range which ties a career-best.
- Olsen notched her 500th career assist which is second-most among active Big Ten players.
- Rutgers was held to season-low 43 points, the Scarlet Knights scored six points in the final quarter.
- Iowa’s defense allowed 43 points which is the lowest against a Big Ten opponent since Jan. 28, 2012. (No. 13 Purdue, 42)
- It was Olsen’s 38th career game with 20+ points.
- Olsen accounted for 19 of Iowa’s 28 first half points.
- She tied her career-high with four 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes of action.
- It was her eighth 20+ point performance as a Hawkeye which is a team-high this season.
- Sydney Affolter registered her sixth career double-double and fourth of the season.
- Affolter has reached double digits 10 times this year and in five straight games.
- Over the last six games, Affolter is shooting 62 percent from 3-point range. (13-21)
- Affolter has snatched double digit rebounds five times this season.
- Iowa has now won six consecutive Big Ten games, its longest winning streak in conference play this season.
- The Hawkeyes have the third longest winning streak in the league.
- Iowa improved to 15-3 when leading at halftime this season.
- In Big Ten play, Iowa is 61-16 over the last four years.
- The Hawkeyes are 126-19 in Iowa City dating back to Nov. 11, 2016.
- Iowa has won 14 out of the last 15 matchups with Rutgers.
- The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series, 14-3.
- The Hawkeyes have won eight games this season scoring 75 or less which is the most in a season since 2018-19. (12)
- Iowa outscored Rutgers, 22-6 in paint points.
- Iowa outrebounded Rutgers, 37-31.
- The Hawkeyes improved to 9-3 on its home floor this season.
- It was the 33rd consecutive sellout which is the longest active streak nationally.

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UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will hit the road to play No. 9/8 Ohio State on Monday, Feb. 17. Tip-off inside the Schottenstein Center is set for 11 a.m. (CT) and will air nationally on FOX and the Hawkeye Radio Network.