PISCATAWAY, NJ – Iowa led wire-to-wire in this Big Ten Conference road game matchup in getting a huge 76-65 win over Rutgers today.
Iowa improved to 11-3 all-time against Rutgers, including a 5-2 record in Piscataway. The Hawkeyes have won five of the last six overall meetings against the Scarlet Knights.
Iowa notched its third win away from home this season (Seton Hall, Clemson, Rutgers).
The Hawkeyes became the first team to win and never trail at Rutgers over the last five seasons.
The Hawkeyes made 12 3-pointers today, their highest total in a game this season since sinking 12 versus No. 20 Iowa State on Dec. 8. Iowa improved to 6-0 this season when making nine or more 3-pointers.
Iowa has won two straight games after starting league play 0-3.
PAYTON SANDFORT via hawkeyesports.com
Payton Sandfort tallied a game-best 22 points off the bench, bolstered by making a game and season-best four 3-pointers (4-of-5). The 22 points are the most by Sandfort in a Big Ten game this season and two points shy of his career high (24, versus Southeast Missouri State).
Fifth-year senior Filip Rebraca registered his team-best sixth double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and pulling down a game-best 12 rebounds. Rebraca has had a double-double in three of Iowa’s last four games. Iowa is 4-1 when Rebraca posts a double-double this season.
All-America candidate Kris Murray scored 17 points and had seven rebounds, two steals and a block. Murray has scored 17+ points in each of his last four games since returning from injury.
Eight of Iowa’s 10 victories this season have come by double digits, including today.
Juniors Patrick McCaffery and Josh Ogundele did not play in today’s game for Iowa.
Iowa (10-6, 2-3) returns home for three straight home games beginning Thursday against Michigan (9-6, 3-1). Tipoff is slated for 6:01 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Tickets are available for purchase at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.
