KANSAS CITY – After leading 37-33 at the break, Iowa was outscored by Utah State, 44-32, in the second half as the Hawkeyes were handed its first loss of the season.
The NABC Hall of Fame Classic was played Friday night in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center.
The Hawkeyes had three players finish in double figures: Brock Harding 19, Owen Freeman 18, Payton Sandfort 14.
Harding scored a career-high 19 points, making 8-of-15 field goals, including a career-high three 3-pointers. He also had five assists and tied a career-high with four steals. His eight field goals were a career high. He has had at least four assists in every game. It was the first time in Harding’s career he led the team in scoring.
Freeman made 9-of-12 field goals en route to his 18 point performance and he grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and had three blocks.
It was Freeman’s second double-double of the season and the seventh of his career.
He has been in double figures in all five games he has played.
Payton Sandfort finished with 14 points, making 4-of-18 field goals. He has been in double figures in every game this season.
Utah State held Iowa to a season-low five 3-point field goals (in 26 attempts) and a season-low 19.2 3-point percentage.
The Aggies won the rebounding battle, 47-31, and had 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 24 second-chance points.
Utah State had a 21-4 advantage in fast-break points.
Friday’s game was the first game Iowa has played at full strength this season.
The contest was Iowa’s first game in Kansas City since 2009.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to Iowa City to host USC-Upstate on Tuesday on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will begin at 7 p.m. (CT) and be televised on BTN.
