IOWA CITY – Iowa (15-5, 5-4 B1G) fell into a big hole early against pesky Southern Cal (15-6, 4-6 B1G), then built its own huge lead before squandering the entire advantage in the last seconds, but somehow managed to eek out a 1-point win over the Trojans.
Iowa overcame a slow start and a furious Trojan rally to win its third straight game, downing USC, 73-72, on Wednesday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Senior Bennett Stirtz made two free throws with 4.6 seconds left to give the Hawkeyes the one-point win.
The Hawkeyes move to 5-4 in Big Ten play, sitting above .500 for the second time this season.
After scoring 27 points (and trailing 28-27) in the first 20 minutes, Iowa scored 20 of the first 24 points of the second half to open a 47-32 lead.
The Hawkeyes outscored the Trojans, 29-12 over the first nine minutes. Iowa withstood a 31-17 run to close out the game over the final 10 minutes.
Iowa had three players land in double figures: Bennett Stirtz (20), Tavion Banks (20), Alvaro Folgueiras (14)
Stirtz recorded his third straight 20-point game and his 10th of the season. He also had three rebounds and three steals in 40 minutes. It was his second straight game playing 40 minutes (seventh time this season).
Banks recorded his second 20-point game of the season — his second in three games. He made 5-of-11 field goals and had a team-high seven rebounds and two steals.
Banks went 8-of-8 from the free throw line, extending his season streak to 30 consecutive free throw makes dating back to Dec. 20.
Folgueiras reached double figures for the first time since Jan. 3 – his ninth game in double digits this season. He also had five rebounds.
Iowa is 9-0 when Folgueiras scores in double figures.
Iowa held USC to 72 points in the game – 10 below its season average. The Hawkeyes have held every opponent this season below its season scoring average.
The Hawkeyes improve to 11-1 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season.
Iowa outrebounded USC, 32-29. The Hawkeyes are 12-2 when winning the rebounding battle.
The Hawkeyes went 19-of-22 from the free throw line; USC was 11-of-16.
Iowa fell behind 10-0 over the first four minutes, committing four turnovers and missing its first four shots. USC made 4-of-5 field goals to open the contest.
The Hawkeyes didn’t score their first point until the 13:46 mark of the first half and trailed 18-8 with 9:39 left in the half.
Trailing 24-14, Iowa closed out the first half with a 13-4 run and trailed 28-27 at the break. The Hawkeyes made three of their final four shots of the half after going 5-of-23 to start the game.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday, traveling to Eugene to face Oregon at 7 p.m. (CT).
