SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team delivered a stirring performance against the Utah Utes, clinching their first-ever victory over the Utes with a 95-88 win at the Sanford Pentagon on Saturday night. This significant victory also avenged their previous loss to Utah during the 2024 National Invitation Tournament.
With this triumph, the Hawkeyes now hold a record of 9-3 for the season and have started conference play with a 1-1 record. The game commenced with the Hawkeyes exhibiting strong defense, holding Utah to just 1-of-12 from the field early on, allowing Iowa to gain a quick 12-4 lead.
Utah fought back, showcasing their shooting prowess, and took the lead at 25-24 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. The teams exchanged leads, but at halftime, Iowa found themselves trailing 40-36. Despite the setbacks, sophomore Owen Freeman led Iowa with 10 points and five rebounds, which set the stage for the intense second half.
The Utes returned to the court revitalized, launching the second half with a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 49-38. Yet, the Hawkeyes demonstrated resilience, and with key contributions from Freeman, they slowly chipped away at the deficit until they finally tied the game at 63-63 with 11 minutes remaining.
From this pivotal moment, the match turned dramatically. Iowa took control, regaining the lead with Brock Harding's three-pointer, making the score 68-67. The Hawkeyes maintained their lead from there, employing effective defensive strategies and aggressive offensive plays. Payton Sandfort stood out during this decisive period, scoring 16 of his eventual 24 points in the second half, shooting 5-of-8 over the final 20 minutes.
“We were moving the ball and driving the ball. We settled too much in the first half. Payton said it, he’s right,” McCaffery noted postgame. “We kept them on defense, kept moving the ball side to side, driving the ball, screening, back cuts, and that's what was the difference.”
Sandfort’s contribution not only included his scoring prowess but also saw him pulling down eight rebounds. His performance capped off what was his best showing of the season, illustrating his return to form after struggling with his shooting percentage earlier this season.
Other Hawkeyes also made significant contributions, with Freeman finishing with 16 points and providing key blocks, and Josh Dix and Drew Thelwell both adding 15 points. The balanced scoring helped Iowa to outperform Utah’s efforts and finish the game with impressive shooting statistics: 53.1% from the field and 75% from the foul line, hitting 18-of-24 attempts.
Utah’s resilience was evident, led by Mason Madsen with 24 points and Lawson Lovering contributing 25 points. Nevertheless, their efforts were not enough to resist the second-half surge from the Hawkeyes.
The victory also marked the Hawkeyes beating Utah for the first time in program history. This win follows their earlier meeting where Utah had claimed victory, leaving Iowa with ample motivation to adapt and improve.
“We got the rebounds we had to. It was disconcerting knowing they are a huge team, but our wings and guards really stepped up to meet the challenge,” McCaffery commented on the team's rebounding effort.
Following the game, the reception of fans was overwhelmingly positive. The atmosphere at the Sanford Pentagon was electric, with many Hawkeye supporters present. Sandfort acknowledged the crowd's support during the match, remarking, “Shout out to this crowd in Sioux Falls. It was phenomenal.”
Next up for Iowa is their final non-conference game against New Hampshire, scheduled for December 30 at 6 p.m. CT, which they will host at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This matchup will be pivotal as the Hawkeyes look to build on their recent success and strengthen their conference standing moving forward.
