Iowa, Rutgers Set for Big Ten Clash in Piscataway PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — The unbeaten and eighth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes face a road test against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup Saturday at Louis Brown Center. Iowa (8-0) enters as one of the nation’s few remaining undefeated teams, fresh off an 86-72 win over Fairfield on Nov. 30. The Hawkeyes’ early schedule has included notable road victories at Baylor and Northern Iowa. Rutgers (7-2) looks to hand Iowa its first loss and bolster its own resume. The Scarlet Knights have won three straight, including a 57-39 defensive win over Saint Peter’s last Sunday, but dropped contests earlier this season to Auburn and Stony Brook. The spotlight will be on Iowa’s Ava Heiden, who is coming off a dominant performance. The forward recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 33 minutes against Fairfield. Over her last five games, Heiden is averaging 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds, providing a consistent interior force. Rutgers will counter with Imani Lester, a key contributor on both ends. Lester posted 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists against Saint Peter’s. She has scored in double figures in four of her last five appearances and is a defensive presence, averaging over two blocks per game during that stretch. Iowa’s offense, averaging 81.6 points per game, will challenge a Rutgers defense that has held opponents to 54.4 points at home this season. The Hawkeyes have shown balance, with Taylor Stremlow (9 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists vs. Fairfield) and Hannah Stuelke (13 points, 8 rebounds) providing significant support. For Rutgers, offensive consistency will be critical. Alongside Lester, guards Nene Ndiaye and Kaylah Ivey each added 12 points in the team’s last outing. Saturday’s game is the conference opener for both teams. Following this contest, Iowa visits in-state rival Iowa State on Dec. 10, while Rutgers travels to face Princeton the same day. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.