In recent years, it’s around this time where Indiana women’s basketball shows just how dominant they are. Whether it was a convincing win by 20+, or edging out a top team in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers have been a tough team to deal with in the back half of the season.
And with IU’s 81-60 win over Rutgers inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday night, Teri Moren’s squad is starting to show shades of that dominance.
Indiana (15-7, 7-4) struggled to open up any momentum in the first half. They shot 35 percent from the field and only knocked down two of eight three-point attempts in the first quarter. IU made it up on the defensive end though, holding Rutgers to just eight points in the period. Both teams ended the quarter on a three-minute scoring drought. The second quarter brought much of the same, and the Hoosiers went into the locker room holding a reachable 32-21 lead.
But fans didn’t have to wait long for any doubt to remain. Indiana came out firing on all cylinders offensively, outscoring the Scarlet Knights 36-19 in the third quarter. IU found their groove from the outside, knocking down 10-of-13 3-point attempts. In the quarter alone, the Hoosiers finished 80 percent from the field.
Shay Ciezki was particularly impressive in the quarter, scoring 11 points with three makes from beyond the arc. Sydney Parrish also had an impressive quarter and finished as Indiana’s leading scorer with 22 points.
Rutgers (9-14, 1-11) had a tough time generating any consistent scoring against the Hoosier defense. They also had to deal with an early injury, with key bench piece Maya Petticord going down early in the first half. She would not return for the rest of the game. Destiny Adams led the way for the Scarlet Knights with 24 points.
Indiana travels up to face Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. Eastern.
