SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA -The Iowa Hawkeyes survived a back and forth affair on a neutral court against Utah of the Big 12 Conference, defeated the Utes 95-88 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls Saturday night.
With the game tied at 75 with 6:59 to play, Iowa outscored Utah, 20-13, en route to a 95-88 victory on Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon.
The Hawkeyes overcame an 11-point second-half deficit (49-38) with 17:51 to play to tie the game at 63 with 11:02 to play.
Iowa has overcome second-half deficits in four games this season, also rallying from 11 down at Michigan on Dec. 7.
Iowa had five players finish in double figures: Payton Sandfort 24, Owen Freeman 16, Josh Dix 15, Drew Thelwell 15, Brock Harding 12
Payton Sandfort scored a season-high 24 points (16 in second half), making 8-of-14 field goals with two 3-pointers, and had a team-high seven rebounds. He was also 6-of-6 from the free throw stripe.
It was his team-best fourth 20-point game this season and the 22nd of his career.
Sandfort has made two or more 3s in 51 career games. (3 or more in 29 games).
He has made 18 straight free throws dating back to Nov. 22.
Sandfort moved into 25th place on Iowa’s career scoring list with 1,267 points.
Freeman finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go along with three blocks, two assists and one steal. He is the only Hawkeye to be in double figures in every game he has played this season. He has had three blocks in three straight games (five on the year).
The Hawkeyes shot better than 50 percent from the field for the second straight game and the sixth time this season.
Iowa is 6-0 when shooting at least 50 percent from the field.
Iowa finished with nine 3-point field goals, making 9-of-20 attempts.
The Hawkeyes have made 8+ 3s in 11 games and 10+ in seven contests.
Iowa has made 34 3-pointers over its last three games.
Iowa is 2-1 in neutral site games this season and 3-1 all-time in Sioux Falls.
Saturday’s win is Iowa’s first victory over Utah in program history.
Iowa tied a season high with 18 free throws and made 18-of-24 for the game (17-of-23 in the second half).
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will close out nonconference play on Dec. 30, hosting New Hampshire at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be televised on BTN.
