Hawkeyes Dominate Rider

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s basketball team defeated Rider on Tuesday night, 83-58 victory, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. With the win, Iowa remains unbeaten and improves to 5-0 on the season.

From the opening tip, Iowa set the tone with a strong defensive presence and efficient scoring, opening the game on a 9-2 run. At the break, Iowa led the Broncs 40-26. Owen Freeman was the leading scorer for Iowa in the first half with 12 points followed by Payton Sandfort contributing 11 points, including a crucial three-pointer that helped Iowa maintain momentum. The Hawkeye defense forced 10 first-half turnovers and was able to create 13 points off those turnovers.

Brock Harding and Freeman were instrumental in this effort, each recording multiple steals and assists. Freeman also dominated the paint, finishing the game with 19 points and five rebounds. Seydou Traore added 12 points for the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes opened the second half on a 10-2 run, where they continued their offensive onslaught, outscoring Rider 43-32. Sandfort remained a key player, ending the game with a team-high 22 points. Pryce Sandfort also made significant contributions with 11 points and five rebounds. The Hawkeyes’ bench played a pivotal role, adding 21 points to the team’s total.

Rider struggled to find its rhythm against Iowa’s stifling defense. Iowa held Rider to 1-of-16 shooting from three-point range.

The Hawkeyes finished the game shooting 30-of-64 (46.9%) from the field and 8-of-22 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. Iowa was able to convert on 15-of-21 (71.4%) free throw attempts. Rider shot 23-of-54 (42.6%) from the field and just 1-of-16 (6.3%) from deep. The Broncs converted on 11-of-13 (84.6%) free throw attempts.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH FRAN MCCAFFERY
“Our defense was really good tonight. Rider has a lot of drivers and a lot of shooters. They typically score the ball really well, Kevin does a really good job. Coming into the game they were the only team in America with three true road wins. This team had our full attention, you could see that defensively. I thought we were really locked in defensively.”

GAME NOTABLES
Iowa improves to 5-0 for the first time since 2022-23 season and for the fourth time in five seasons.

• The Hawkeyes had four players finish in double figures: Payton Sandfort 22, Owen Freeman 19, Seydou Traore 12, Pryce Sandfort 11.
• Payton Sandfort notched his second 20 point game of the season (20th of his career), finishing with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting.  He also had six rebounds and three assists.
  • Sandfort made two or more 3-pointers for the fifth straight game and for the 46th time in his career.
• Freeman made 7-of-11 field goals en route to his 19 points.  He also had five rebounds and two blocks.
• Graduate Drew Thelwell had seven of Iowa’s 18 assists in the game.
• Iowa’s defense held Rider to 43.4 percent shooting and one 3-point field goals (6.7 percent). 
  • The Broncs didn’t make their first 3-point field goal until the 9:05 mark of the second half.
  • Iowa has held all five opponents under 50 percent shooting this season.
• Iowa is 96-3 when holding opponents to fewer than 61 points over the past 14+ seasons.
• The Hawkeyes forced 20 Rider turnovers, turning them into 20 points.  It was the team’s third game forcing 18+ turnovers.
• Iowa held the Broncs to 42.9 percent shooting in the first half, forced 10 turnovers and didn’t allow a 3-point field goal.
• Junior Josh Dix missed Tuesday’s game because of injury. Iowa has not played at full strength this season.

UP NEXT
Iowa returns to action Friday, traveling to Kansas City to face Utah State in the NABC Hall of Fame Classic. The game will begin at 7 p.m. (CT) at the T-Mobile Center and it will be televised on BTN.