Iowa Basketball Bags Big Road Win at Rutgers

Iowa’s season was written off per week in the past.

All of a sudden the Hawkeyes have life once more.

Iowa’s 76-65 win at Rutgers on Sunday, following up on Thursday’s 91-89 win over Indiana, appeared lots just like the victories from November and early December.

The Hawkeyes constructed a 42-30 halftime lead, led by as a lot as 18 within the second half, then fought off a late run by the Scarlet Knights to maneuver to 11-6 general, 2-3 within the Huge Ten.

It was simply final Sunday when Iowa misplaced at Penn State, simply three days after a street loss at Nebraska, and there have been these doubters who thought the season was getting away from the Hawkeyes.

Now, they’ll take a two-game profitable streak right into a stretch when the subsequent three video games, and 5 of the subsequent seven, are at residence.

The takeaways from Sunday:

SANDFORT RESPONDS

Payton Sandfort has been in a capturing stoop in the previous couple of weeks, however the very last thing Iowa coach Fran McCaffery needs his greatest shooters to do is cease firing.

He didn’t on this sport, and it saved the Hawkeyes within the second half.

Sandfort had 14 of his 22 factors within the second half, making 4-of-5 photographs, together with 3-of-3 in 3-pointers, within the half.

Rutgers had minimize the Iowa result in 55-50 when Sandfort hit a 3-pointer with 8:34 left within the sport. He adopted that with back-to-back threes in a 37-second span, after which a shot exterior the lane with 5:04 to play. Iowa’s lead was 66-55, and the closest Rutgers would get after that was six factors.

Sandfort completed the day 6-of-8 from the sphere, 4-of-5 in 3-pointers.

MURRAY KEEPS ROLLING

It’s no coincidence that Iowa’s run comes as Kris Murray continues to get wholesome.

Murray completed with 17 factors on 7-of-11 capturing. He additionally had seven rebounds.

Murray, who missed 4 video games with a foot harm, has averaged 24 factors within the 4 video games since his return.

IRONMAN REBRACA

Filip Rebraca had 16 factors and 12 rebounds, his team-high sixth double-double of the season, whereas taking part in all 40 minutes.

Rebraca has been dominant inside all season, and going the entire sport is spectacular contemplating the bodily sport Rutgers performs inside.

GOING DEEP

McCaffery isn’t afraid to go deep into his bench, and he did that on this sport, utilizing walk-on guard Carter Kingsbury for 3 minutes.

Count on extra of that within the coming video games, with Patrick McCaffery out indefinitely and Josh Ogundele injured.

OTHER NOTES

• Iowa improved to 11-3 all-time towards Rutgers, together with a 5-2 document in Piscataway. The Hawkeyes have gained 5 of the final six general conferences towards the Scarlet Knights.

• Iowa notched its third win away from residence this season. This win and the one over Seton Corridor have been on the street, whereas a win over Clemson was on a impartial court docket.

• The Hawkeyes grew to become the primary staff to win and by no means path at Rutgers during the last 5 seasons.

• The Hawkeyes made 12 3-pointers, their highest complete in a sport this season since sinking 12 towards No. 20 Iowa State on Dec. 8. Iowa improved to 6-0 this season when making 9 or extra 3-pointers.