COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – Iowa (18-6, 8-5 B1G) had its six-game winning streak snapped, falling 77-70 at Maryland (10-14, 3-10 B1G) on Wednesday night at the XFINITY Center.
The loss snapped the Hawkeyes’ three-game road winning streak.
Iowa had two players finish in double figures: Bennett Stirtz (32), Tavion Banks (13)
Stirtz notched his second straight 30-point game (third this season) and seventh consecutive 20-point contest (14th of the season), making 13-of-21 field goals, including 4-of-10 from 3-point range. He also had six assists without committing a turnover (eighth time this season).
Stirtz is the first Hawkeye since Kris Murray to score 30+ in back-to-back games in the 2022-23 season.
The seven straight 20+ point games is the longest streak by a Hawkeye since Keegan Murray in 2022 and the longest streak by an Iowa guard since downtown Freddy Brown’s 16 such games in 1971.
Stirtz has made four 3-pointers in each of the last four games.
He played all 40 minutes for the ninth time this season (49th time in his career).
Iowa faced its largest deficit of the game, trailing 39-32 at the 18:03 mark in the second half.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Brendan Hausen gave the Hawkeyes their first lead of the second half at 48-47 and 51-50.
The Terps out-rebounded Iowa, 34-25, which included 10 offensive rebounds, turning them into 11 points.
Iowa committed just four turnovers – its fourth straight game with single digit turnovers.
Maryland shot 52.4 percent in the second half (and 53.2 percent for the game) en route to 77 points.
It is the first time this season an opponent has scored more than its season scoring average.
The Terps were 19-of-28 from the free throw line; Iowa was 13-of-17.
Maryland scored 11 of the final 16 points of the first half, turning a one-point deficit into a 37-32 halftime lead.
The Hawkeyes return to action Saturday, hosting No. 13/12 Purdue at 4 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is sold out.
