Iowa Punches Ticket to Final

Favored Iowa Beats Feisty Rutgers 72-67

by Steven Stremming

Iowa punched their ticket to the 2019 BiG Ten Women’s Conference championship when they downed a feisty Rutgers squad 72-67 Saturday evening at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

This will mark the first time Lisa Bluder’s Hawkeyes have been this far since 2014.

Iowa pounded Rutgers nearly into submission early in the 3rd quarter when they amassed a 20 point lead 4:58 into the quarter. But give Rutgers credit they came storming back and fought valiantly.

In fact, Rutgers outscored Iowa in the second half 44 to 35 but Iowa had built such a large deficit the Scarlet Knights could only come so far back.

Megan Gustafson, the 6’3 Sophomore dominated once again with 20 points and 12 rebounds which included a game high three offensive boards.

Gustafson had help though as Hannah Stewart once again rose to the occasion with 14 points while Mackenzie Meyer scored thirteen on five of eleven shots from the field.

Support was given by Tania Davis’ nine points and Kathleen Doyle’s seven.

Rutgers was led by Arelia Guirantes 16, Noga Pelag Pelc’s 14 along with teammate Stasha Carey’s 14 and Charise Wilson’s 10.

Iowa shot 50% percent from the field going 27 of 54 shots including six of seventeen from behind the arc and 12 of 13 from the charity stripe.

Rutgers made 26 of 62 shots from the floor and made eight of ten bonus shots.

Rutgers committed 20 turnovers but won the battle of fast break points with 12 and bench points outscoring Iowa 23 to nine.

Iowa outscored Rutgers in second chance points ten to two and paint points 34 to 30.

Iowa moves on to face Maryland for the Championship Sunday at 6 p.m.

Rutgers was sent home with a 22 and nine mark. They now await the tournament selections.