AMES, Iowa – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team fell to Iowa State, 90-65, on Thursday evening in the Iowa Corn Cy-hawk Series matchup at Hilton Coliseum.
Payton Sandfort led the way for the Hawkeyes in the first half as they struggled to get the offense going. The junior from Waukee, Iowa, had 14 of Iowa’s 29 first half points. Sandfort connected on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first 20-minutes of action. Sandfort finished the game as the leading scorer for Iowa.
Sophomore Dasonte Bowen was the second leading scorer for Iowa. Bowen scored 13 points, dished out three assists and knocked down all six of his free throws. Freshman Owen Freeman rounded out the Hawkeyes in double digits. Freeman added 11 points and has now scored in double digits in four games. Freeman led Iowa on the glass pulling in 8 rebounds and blocking three shots.
Shooting and ball security was a struggle for the Hawkeyes in the first half. Iowa shot 9-of-26 from the field in the first 20 minutes of play. Iowa’s 12 first half turnovers resulted in 15 points for the Cyclones. At the break Iowa State led Iowa, 47-29.
Iowa State maintained their lead throughout the second half. The Cyclones were led by a duo of Keshon Gilbert and Robert Jones. Gilbert scored 25 points while Jones added 18. Iowa State shot 32-of-60 (53%) from the field and 8-of-17 (47%) from three for the game.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH FRAN MCCAFFERY
“It was kind of like the other night. We didn’t get enough movement whether it be ball movement or people movement. You have to give your opponent credit defensively. They were working hard. We missed some guys, but we have to do more screening, more cutting, and more penetration. We just kind of moved it side to side and somebody shot at the end of the clock. We need more activity to challenge the defense in a better way.”
“It started right from the jump. They went inside and they had a couple and-ones early. We kind of fell in love with the three ball at that point because we got a little bit behind. We have to do a better job collectively to limit that kind of discrepancy, points in the paint.”
HAWKEYE NOTABLES
- Junior Payton Sandfort paced Iowa with 14 points, making 4-of-9 3-point field goals.
- It was Sandfort’s ninth career game with four or more 3-pointers.
- Sophomore Dasonte Bowen scored 13 points (7-of-7 free throws) – his third game in double figures this season.
- Freshman Owen Freeman scored 11 points and had a career-high eight rebounds. It is his fourth double-digit scoring game this season.
- Twenty of Iowa State’s first 27 points came in the paint (other seven from the free throw line) in the first 12 minutes; 12 of Iowa’s first 18 shots were from 3-point range.
- The Cyclones outscored Iowa, 46-18, in points in the paint.
- Iowa committed 12 turnovers in the first half and 19 for the game – a season-high
- Iowa State put up 90 and the Cyclones shot 53.3 percent – an opponent high this season.
- Sophomore guard Josh Dix made his first career start. Iowa altered the starting lineup for the first time in eight games this season.
- With eight competitions in the books, Iowa leads the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 9-8.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Sunday, hosting a Big Ten Conference home game against Michigan. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. (CT) from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
