After another frustrating losing skid that spanned the previous two games, Iowa basketball (15-12, 6-10 Big Ten) got back in the win column Saturday evening with an 85-79 victory over Washington (13-14, 4-12) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Offensively, the Hawkeyes shot a respectable 26-for-55 (47.3%) from the floor, including 10-for-21 (47.6%) from beyond the arc and 23-of-26 (88.5%]) from the charity stripe. Defensively, Iowa forced 11 Washington turnovers, including six steals and two blocks. The Hawkeyes converted those 11 turnovers into 19 points, helping power Iowa to victory.
With the win, the Hawkeyes created much-needed breathing room among those fighting to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament as the regular season winds down. Iowa now resides in a 14th-place tie with Rutgers (Iowa holds a head-to-head advantage), one game ahead of 16th-place Northwestern.
Here are the three stars from Iowa basketball’s Saturday triumph over Washington.
Payton Sandfort
As he has done regularly throughout the season, Sandfort powered the Hawkeyes offensively by contributing 27 points on 7-for-18 (38.9%) from the floor, 1-for-5 (20%) from deep, and 12-for-13 (92.3%) from the free-throw line in a full 40-minute effort. The senior also registered nine rebounds (all defensive rebounds), two assists, and one block to add to his impressive night.
Sandfort’s stellar performance is nothing new but is always worth appreciating as he continues to pour his heart and soul into the program in his final year of eligibility.
For the Hawkeyes to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, Sandfort must continue his torrid offensive play as the regular season wraps up.
Josh Dix
Dix had another impactful night for the Hawkeyes, scoring 15 points on 5-10 (50%) from the floor, 2-for-3 (66.7%) from long-range, and 3-for-4 (75%) from the charity stripe in 33 minutes of action. The junior guard also added three rebounds and three assists to his total on the night.
Given Owen Freeman’s season-ending injury, Dix’s recent uptick in offensive production from the third-scoring option to the secondary has been crucial for the Hawkeyes’ ability to compete against the rugged Big Ten schedule.
As Iowa battles down the home stretch of the regular season, the Hawkeyes will need to see Dix continue to bring the same impact for the team to have hopes of qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament.
Brock Harding
Harding had a quietly impactful game for the Hawkeyes, contributing 11 points off 4-for-7 (57.1%) from the floor and 3-for-5 (60%) from deep in 25 minutes of action. He also registered five assists, four rebounds, and two steals to close out his night.
While Harding’s tertiary scoring role has limited his offensive impact, his clutch three-point baskets allowed Iowa to stay level with the Huskies near the end of the first half and at the start of the second half.
Iowa will travel on the road for their next matchup as they visit State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill., for a Tuesday night clash vs. Illinois (17-11, 9-8). Fortunately for Iowa, Illinois has lost three consecutive games heading into Tuesday’s meeting, including its worst loss in program history in a landslide 110-67 Saturday night defeat against No. 3 Duke.
The game will be broadcast on FS1, with a tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. CT. The game will also be available through the air on the Hawkeyes Radio Network.
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