Iowa Dominates Rutgers in Big Ten Opener

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The nationally ranked University of Iowa women's basketball team opened Big Ten play with a dominant 79-36 victory over Rutgers on Saturday evening at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

Sophomore Ava Heiden powered the Hawkeyes with a game-high 17 points, five assists, and three blocks, shooting 8-of-13 from the field. Senior Taylor McCabe added 14 points, knocking down four triples, while freshman Journey Houston contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. Iowa’s bench was pivotal, combining for 45 points.

The Hawkeyes set the tone early, jumping out to a 22-6 lead after the first quarter. Heiden scored eight points in the opening frame, and Iowa dominated the paint with 18 points while forcing five Rutgers turnovers.

Iowa continued its surge in the second quarter, giving up only eight points through the period to lead to 42-14 at halftime. Houston and Heiden combined for 11 points in the quarter. The Hawkeyes shot 69.2 percent in the second quarter and held Rutgers to just 12.5 percent shooting.

Coming out of the break, Iowa’s offense stayed hot. McCabe hit back-to-back threes to start the third, and Heiden added two buckets inside as the Hawkeyes extended their lead to 65-18. Iowa shot 61.5 percent in the third quarter and forced four more turnovers, finishing the period with a 47-point advantage - their largest of the night.

Rutgers found some rhythm late, scoring 18 points in the fourth. The Hawkeyes finished with 44 points in the paint, 22 fast-break points, and held Rutgers to 21.9 percent shooting overall.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ava Heiden led Iowa with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.  
- Heiden has scored 15+ points in five straight games.
- It was Heiden’s eighth game of the season in double figures.
- Taylor McCabe added 14 points on four made 3-point field goals.
- McCabe has 150 career 3-pointers which is good for 14th in program history. 
- McCabe has reached double figures in four consecutive games and for the 18th time in her career.
- Journey Houston registered a career-high 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
- Kylie Feuerbach dished out a career-best seven assists.
- Taylor Stremlow added nine points, five assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block.
- Addie Deal and Layla Hays combined for 17 points off the bench.
- Chit-Chat Wright made her first appearance since Iowa’s win over No. 7 Baylor. She left the game in the first quarter and did not return. Wright is considered day-to-day. (Upper body)

TEAM NOTES
- Iowa is 9-0 for the fourth time in program history.
- Iowa is 9-0 for the first time under Jan Jensen.  
- The Hawkeyes have won seven straight games against Rutgers.
- Iowa leads the all-time series against the Scarlet Knights, 15-3.
- Iowa has won five out of its last six Big Ten regular season openers.
- The Hawkeyes have opened Big Ten play on the road each of the last four seasons.
- Iowa is 94-30 against Big Ten foes since the 2019-20 season.
- The Hawkeyes led the game for 39:32.
- Iowa has outscored all nine opponents this season by 10+ paint points this season.
- Iowa’s defense held Rutgers to a season-low six points this first quarter. The Scarlet Knights reached double figures with 3:43 to go in the second quarter. Iowa led 42-14 at halftime.
- Iowa held Rutgers to single digits in scoring in the first three quarters of action.
- All available Hawkeyes saw action in tonight’s game.

UP NEXT
The nationally ranked Hawkeyes are set to travel to No. 10 Iowa State for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. Tip-off inside Hilton Coliseum is set for 6 p.m. (CT) on ESPN and the Hawkeye Radio Network.