Iowa Beats WSU In John Deere Quad Cities Hoops Showdown

MOLINE, Ill. — The University of Iowa men’s basketball team beat Washington State, 76-66, on Friday at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK.

The first half was a closely contested battle, with Washington State taking an early lead, leading by as much as nine points. Washington State led 36-33 at halftime.

Iowa’s comeback was spearheaded by Owen Freeman, who dominated the paint with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Payton Sandfort also played a crucial role, contributing 18 points and six rebounds. The Hawkeye defense tightened in the second half, forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 20 points.

The second half saw Iowa outscore the Cougars by 13 points. The Hawkeyes took control with a series of key plays, including pivotal 3-pointers by Drew Thelwell that shifted the momentum. With the game in the balance, Iowa made all 10 free-throw attempts over the last 61 seconds. Iowa’s bench also made significant contributions, adding 23 points compared to WSU’s eight.

The game featured 16 lead changes and nine ties, keeping the 8,488 fans in attendance on the edge of their seats. Iowa’s largest lead came in the final moments, extending to 10 points.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH FRAN MCCAFFERY
“We held them to 34% in the second half, that’s a really good team to hold to 34%. You have to be a connected group. That’s what we talked about at halftime, we have to be more connected defensively.”

“Freeman came back and controlled his emotions in the second half and he dominated. There was no question that he was going to play. He got his second foul with the technical so I rested him the rest of the first half, and I don’t remember taking him out too much in the second half.”

GAME NOTABLES

• The Hawkeyes improved to 4-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
• Friday’s game featured nine ties and 16 lead changes. Iowa rallied from a nine-point first half and three-point halftime deficit.
• Iowa had two players finish in double figures: Owen Freeman 21, Payton Sandfort 18.
• Freeman recorded his first double-double of the season and sixth of his career with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He was 9-of-15 from the field.
  • It was Freeman’s third 20-point game of his career on his 20th birthday.
  • The nine field goals are a career high.
• Payton Sandfort scored 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting with two 3-pointers.
  • Sandfort has made two or more 3s in all four games this season and in 44 career games.
• Drew Thelwell scored all seven of his points over a span of 92 seconds late in the second half. His second 3-pointer of the game with 3:03 left put the Hawkeyes ahead for good.
• All 10 players that played in the game scored.
• Iowa went on a 12-2 run in the first half to erase a nine-point (29-20) deficit.
• The Hawkeyes improved to 4-0 all-time in Moline.
• It was the team’s first game in the Quad Cities since 1998.
• Iowa improved to 2-0 all-time against Washington State.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Tuesday, hosting Rider at 7 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be streamed on B1G+.