TAMPA, FLORIDA — Behind a balanced scoring attack and a dominant defensive start, the No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes earned their first NCAA Tournament victory in five years, defeating No. 8 seed Clemson 67-61 at Benchmark International Arena on Friday night.
The win marks a milestone for first-year head coach Ben McCollum, who now holds a 37-8 all-time record in NCAA postseason play across all divisions. With 22 wins this season, McCollum has led the program to its highest victory total since 2022.
Hawkeyes Set the Tone
Iowa jumped out to a quick 18-8 lead in the opening eight minutes, fueled by Kael Combs, who scored eight of the team’s first 15 points. The Hawkeye defense suffocated the Tigers early, holding them to just 21.1% shooting over the first 12 minutes and taking a 32-25 lead into the locker room.
Clemson attempted a surge early in the second half, cutting the lead to two at 35-33. However, Iowa responded with a decisive 9-0 run to regain double-digit control. Despite a late Tiger rally that brought the game within four points with 1:28 remaining, Iowa iced the game at the free-throw line.
Standout Performances
- Bennett Stirtz: Led the way with 16 points, moving into fifth place on Iowa’s single-season scoring list (677 points).
- Kael Combs: Provided a major spark with 15 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting.
- Alvaro Folgueiras: Added 14 points and remained perfect from the stripe (7-of-7). Iowa is now 13-1 when Folgueiras scores in double figures.
- Cam Manyawu: Dominated the glass with a season-high 10 rebounds.
Winning the “Free” Battle
In a game where Clemson held the advantage in field goal and three-point percentages, Iowa’s aggressiveness proved to be the difference. The Hawkeyes made 24 free throws compared to Clemson’s eight. Iowa remains undefeated this season (16-0) when recording more free-throw attempts than their opponent.
Up Next: The Round of 32
The Hawkeyes advance to face the region’s top seed, Florida, on Sunday. The Gators are coming off a record-breaking 114-55 victory over Prairie View A&M.
