PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – The Iowa Hawkeyes ventured into the intimidating Jersey Mike’s Arena today to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and despite trailing at the half, roared back for a much-needed Big Ten Conference road victory.
Iowa (14-10, 5-8 B1G) trailed Rutgers (12-13, 5-9 B1G), 42-33, at halftime, but it was all Iowa in the second half of this contest. The Hawkeyes picked up their first road victory of the season, winning 84-73 over Rutgers on Wednesday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
The victory is Iowa’s first Quad 1 win of the season.
The Hawkeyes have won five straight and eight of the last nine meetings over the Scarlet Knights.
Iowa is now 14-3 all-time against Rutgers and 6-2 all-time in Piscataway.
The Hawkeyes overcame a nine-point halftime deficit, taking a 56-53 lead with 9:56 left.
Iowa outscored Rutgers, 51-31, in the second half.
The Hawkeyes have rallied to win five games this season when trailing in the second half.
Iowa had four players finish in double figures: Josh Dix 26, Payton Sandfort 20, Brock Harding 13, Pryce Sandfort 10.
Dix finished with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting with two 3-point field goals. The 11 field goals are a career high.
He has scored 20+ two of the last three games.
Dix netted 16 of his 26 points in the second half.
It is his fifth 20-point game of the season and ninth of his career.
Payton Sandfort scored 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting with four 3-point field goals.
He has made 4+ 3-pointers nine times this season and in 27 career games.
It was his team-high 10th 20 point game of the season and second in three games.
Harding finished with 13 points and seven assists (against one turnover).
He has had 5+ assists in 16 games.
The Hawkeyes shot 58.8 percent in the second half and 50.7 percent for the game.
Iowa shot 9-of-10 (90 percent) from the free-throw line.
90 percent from the free-throw line is a season high for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa won the rebounding battle, 34-30. It is the first time the team has out-rebounded its opponent since Jan. 11.
Rutgers’ seven offensive rebounds is a season low for an Iowa opponent.
The Hawkeyes committed just nine turnovers, including just two in the second half.
Rutgers, who entered the game averaging 7.2 makes on 32.9 percent shooting, made eight 3-point field goals in the first half and shot 57.1 percent.
Iowa limited Rutgers to two 3-pointers (in 11 attempts) in the second half.
The Scarlet Knights made 10 3-pointers and shot 40 percent for the game.
Iowa limited future NBA lottery picks Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to 24 points – 14 below their combined season average.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday, traveling to College Park to face No. 25 Maryland at 4 p.m. (CT) at the XFINITY Center.
