INDIANAPOLIS, IND- Iowa holds on to beat Rutgers 72-67 in the Big Ten Semifinals Saturday evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Iowa jumped out to a 12-4 lead to start the game after two big threes from Makenzie Meyer which led to a timeout for Rutgers. The Knights then turned 5 Iowa turnovers into 7 points adding a 6-0 run to end the first quarter.
The Hawkeyes gained momentum in the second quarter shooting 50 percent from the field and out rebounding Rutgers 23-15 in the first half. Hannah Stewart and Megan Gustafson led all scorers at the half with 10 points.
Out of the break Iowa went 5 of 7 from the field two of which were dagger three-point baskets. The lead got to as many as 20 after an Iowa 7-0 run which forced a Rutgers timeout. The Scarlet Knights nearly managed to close the deficit to single digits before the close of the quarter scoring nine straight and going on an 11-4 spurt.
Rutgers started the final period on a 7-0 run that brought the score to 61-54 with just over six minutes to play. The Knights made 5 of 7 on a 13-5 run into the final media timeout. Stasha Carey led Rutgers with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Rutgers pulled to within three with under a minute, but Iowa knocked down some clutch free throws down the stretch. Iowa finished the game 12 of 13 from the stripe. A big game for the Hawkeyes Hannah Stewart who finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Megan Gustafson finished with a double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Iowa will play Maryland tomorrow in the Big Ten Championship game Sunday 6pm at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
