Junior Payton Sandfort tallied the first triple-double in program history, tying a career-high with 26 points, a career-high 10 assists and 10 rebounds. He also had a career-high three blocks. It was Sandfort’s eighth 20-point game this season – tied for the most on the team. He went 18-of-19 from the free throw line – career-highs in free throws and free throw attempts.
Iowa made six of its first eight field goals over the first five minutes to jump out to a 16-4 lead. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 17 points (29-12) at the 9:43 mark before taking a 47-39 lead into the locker room. Iowa led 63-58 before using a 10-0 run to open up a 73-58 lead with 10:49 to play.
Sophomore Josh Dix notched his second straight 20 point game, finishing with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting. It was Dix’s third 20-point game this season and his eighth game in double digits. He made his first seven field goals and finished with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting (2-of-3 3-pointers) in the first half.
Freshman Owen Freeman finished with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go along with eight rebounds. The forward has had seven or more rebounds in 14 games. Freeman also had one block, giving him 51 for the season — the most by a freshman in school history, passing Acie Earl (50).
Senior Tony Perkins scored 10 points – all in the second half – making 3-of-4 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws. He has been in double figures in a team-best 25 games this season. He also had five assists – his 10th game with 5+ assists.
Graduate Ben Krikke finished with seven points on 1-of-5 shooting. Krikke surpassed the 2,000 point mark for his collegiate career in the game. He scored 1,596 points in his four-year career at Valparaiso.
Senior Patrick McCaffery finished with five points to become the 53rd player in program history to score 1,000 career points.
The Hawkeyes finished with 22 assists on 25 field goals – the most assists by the team since Jan. 15 at Minnesota.
The team is 9-1 this season when it has 20 or more assists.
Iowa assisted on its first 14 field goals and on 15-of-16 field goals in the first half.
Iowa made 32-of-37 free throws – the most makes and attempts for Iowa in Big Ten play this season.
The Hawkeyes are 11-2 when attempting 20 or more free throws.
Iowa made more free throws (30) than Penn State attempted (13).
The Hawkeyes made eight 3-point field goals – the most since Jan. 27 at Michigan.
Iowa is 8-1 when making eight or more 3s.
Iowa limited Penn State to four 3-pointers; the Nittany Lions made 12 on Feb. 8 in Happy Valley.
Iowa has won 16 of the last 17 meetings over the Nittany Lions in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes salvage the season split. Penn State beat Iowa, 89-79, earlier this season.
Up Next
The Hawkeyes return to action Saturday, traveling to Evanston to face Northwestern at 4:30 p.m. (CT) at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
