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This was a close battle from the tip, as each team traded points in the opening minutes. Led by guard Tyler Scaife, the Scarlet Knights held a slight edge at the end of the first quarter, 19-18.
END OF 1Q: #RHoops 19, Iowa 18 - Kaheah Copper gives RU the edge as time winds down - 7 Lead Changes in 1Q action
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) January 5, 2016
The Hawkeyes came roaring back with a 9-0 run in the second quarter, led by Iowa guard Alexa Kastanek. A great hustle play by Scaife intercepting a pass at mid-court to lead to a Victoria Harris fast break seemed to swing the momentum back in Rutgers' favor. Kahleah Copper got in on the action as her jumper got going, contributing 11 points in the first half and helping Rutgers to a 37-35 lead going into halftime. This first half effort also added to Copper's illustrious Rutgers career, as she jumped in to the top 10 in scoring and earned her 1,500 point.
HALFTIME: #RHoops 37, Iowa 33 - RU with 19 pts off 16 Iowa turnovers - RU: Scaife 15 pts, Copper 11 pts | IU: Kastanek 11 pts, Coley 10 pts
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) January 5, 2016
With 11 first half pts - #RHoops welcomes Kahleah Copper to 1,500 career point club and the top 10 in scoring at RU pic.twitter.com/mcjc8LhZPK
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) January 5, 2016
Starting off the second half, it was Rachel Hollivay who provided a spark for the Scarlet Knights, contributing 8 consecutive points to give Rutgers a 45-40 lead in the 3rd quarter. After Hollivay had to go to the bench with her third foul, Iowa began to make a run, taking a 56-50 lead. A Scaife three-pointer cut the deficit in half, but the third quarter ended with Rutgers trailing 56-53.
END OF 3Q: Iowa 56, #RHoops 53 - RU 3-3 on the season when trailing heading into 4Q - Tyler Scaife with 18
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) January 5, 2016
Rutgers regained the lead 57-56, to start the fourth quarter, led by Copper. The two teams continued to battle, with several lead changes in the final minutes of the game. Rutgers was able to close the gap to 68-65 with just over a minute left to go, but Iowa was able to close the game off strong for a 69-65 victory.
FINAL SCORE: Iowa 69, #RHoops 65 - Scarlet Knights move to 10-4 overall, 1-1 #B1G - RU hosts Wisconsin Thursday at 7 p.m. at the RAC
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) January 5, 2016
It was a well-fought game against a tough opponent on the road, and the Scarlet Knights and their fans definitely have reasons for optimism moving forward! Rutgers will look to get back into the W column on Thursday night when they take on Wisconsin at the RAC.