PISCATAWAY, New Jersey – Iowa continued it’s winning ways with a tough Big Ten Conference win at Rutgers, 77-75.
Today’s win over No. 14 Rutgers was Iowa’s first over a ranked opponent on the road since winning at No. 21 Wisconsin on March 2, 2017.
All-American Luka Garza netted a game-high 25 points today surpassing Aaron White for second on Iowa’s all-time scoring chart trailing only Roy Marble.
Fran McCaffery tied Lute Olson for the second most Big Ten wins as an Iowa head coach (92).
Iowa improved to 8-2 all-time against Rutgers, including a 4-1 mark in games played in Piscataway, New Jersey. The last two Iowa-Rutgers games in Piscataway have both been decided by two points.
Iowa was credited with a season-high nine blocks.
Freshman Keegan Murray, who posted personal bests in scoring (14) and rebounding (9), said after the game, “Competing is my favorite thing in the world. If I can do anything to make our team win, it’s satisfying. I just want to help our team win.”
Iowa finished the game making nine of its last 12 field goals over the last 8:57.
Connor McCaffery injured his right ankle three minutes into the game and did not return.
Jordan Bohannon sank three 3-pointers today to move past Joe Crispin for eighth place in the Big Ten’s career 3-point field goals made list.
Iowa Coach McCafffery said after the game, “It’s nice to look down your bench and have a bunch of weapons: Ahron Ulis. Tony Perkins. Patrick McCaffery. Jack Nunge. Joe Toussaint. Keegan Murray. I’ll tell you that.”
The Hawkeyes return to the East Coast next Thursday, Jan. 7, against Maryland. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland.
Clutched up down the stretch today.
9-2 and two straight wins over Big Ten ranked opponents feels pretty good. #Hawkeyes | #FightForIowa pic.twitter.com/Ob3BtAQi2O
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 3, 2021