Iowa Grits Out a Win Over Rutgers, 68-62, Behind Freshman Spark and Defensive Pressure
Let’s be honest - this one won’t be making any highlight reels for beauty. But in the Big Ten, style points don’t count.
Wins do. And Iowa found a way to grind out a 68-62 victory over Rutgers on Jan. 20 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to push the Hawkeyes to 14-5 overall and back to .500 in conference play at 4-4.
With a full week off before their next matchup against USC on Jan. 28, Iowa now has time to regroup - and maybe catch its breath after a game that tested their mettle more than their finesse.
Here’s a closer look at what stood out - the good, the gritty, and the not-so-great - from a game that was more about survival than domination.
Freshman Tate Sage Delivers in the Clutch
Let’s start with the bright spot: Tate Sage. The freshman came off the bench and made a major impact, scoring 17 points on an efficient 5-of-7 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. With Bennett Stirtz struggling early, Sage’s energy and shot-making were critical in keeping Iowa afloat.
This isn’t the first time Sage has stepped up in a big moment, and his growing consistency off the bench is quietly becoming one of the more important storylines in Iowa’s season. He didn’t just score - he sparked the team when it needed a lift. That’s a big-time performance from a young player still earning his stripes.
Isaia Howard Brings the Hustle
Stat lines don’t always tell the full story, but in Isaia Howard’s case, they hint at the grit he brought. Just six points on the scoreboard, but he led the Hawkeyes with eight rebounds - as a guard. That says a lot about his effort level.
Howard’s activity on the glass helped offset a disappointing night from Iowa’s frontcourt in the rebounding department. He was scrapping, diving, and doing the dirty work that doesn’t always get noticed - but absolutely matters. Iowa needed that edge, and Howard delivered it.
Defense and Turnovers: Iowa’s Lifeline
If Iowa’s offense was inconsistent, the defense did its part to steady the ship. The Hawkeyes forced 19 turnovers and turned those into 19 points - a crucial swing in a game that never saw either team fully take control.
Rutgers shot just 43% from the field and 28% from three, and while some of that came down to their own miscues, Iowa’s defensive pressure deserves credit. The Hawkeyes weren’t perfect, but they were active, disruptive, and opportunistic - and that was enough to tilt the balance.
Tavion Banks Starts Fast, Finishes Strong
Tavion Banks was another key contributor, especially early. He scored seven of Iowa’s first nine points, helping the team weather a sluggish start. He finished with 12 points overall, joining Sage and Stirtz in double figures.
Banks’ ability to create offense early gave Iowa just enough rhythm to stay close while the rest of the team found its footing. In a game where every possession felt like a battle, his contributions loomed large.
Student Section Steps Up
Off the court, Iowa made a concerted push to bring energy back into Carver-Hawkeye Arena - and it worked. With students back from winter break, the school rolled out $2 beers, $2 pretzels, and gave away free jerseys to early arrivals.
The result? A lively student section that brought some much-needed juice to a weekday game.
It’s a small thing, but in a tight game, home-court energy matters. And Iowa’s student section showed up when the team needed them.
What Didn’t Go So Well
Sluggish Start - Twice
The Hawkeyes were slow out of the gate in both halves. Rutgers led by as many as five early, and Iowa looked flat after showing strong starts on the road at Purdue and Indiana. While they rallied with an 18-6 run to close the first half and take a seven-point lead into the break, that momentum didn’t carry over.
Rutgers opened the second half with a 9-0 run to erase Iowa’s lead and briefly take control. Credit Iowa for responding, but in a game they could’ve taken by the throat, the Hawkeyes let Rutgers hang around far too long.
Bennett Stirtz: A Tale of Two Halves
Stirtz ended up with 20 points, but it wasn’t a smooth ride. He struggled in the first half, shooting just 3-of-9 from the field and 0-of-5 from deep. In the second half, he found more rhythm, finishing 8-of-21 overall and 0-of-6 from three, but also added five assists, four rebounds, and five turnovers.
It wasn’t his cleanest outing - far from it - but Stirtz made key plays late and helped close the door when it mattered. That’s the mark of a player who can impact a game even when the shot isn’t falling.
Rebounding Woes Continue
Rebounding was a clear weak spot. Rutgers outrebounded Iowa 31-24 overall and 9-7 on the offensive glass.
The Hawkeyes were fortunate that the Scarlet Knights only converted those second chances into five points. But the lack of control on the boards is something that can’t be ignored, especially with tougher frontcourts looming in Big Ten play.
Free Throw Disparity
Another familiar issue reared its head - the free throw gap. Rutgers attempted 24 free throws to Iowa’s 16, converting 19 of them.
Iowa went 13-of-16, but the disparity in attempts has been a recurring theme this season. It didn’t cost them this time, but it’s a trend worth watching.
Bottom Line
This was a grind-it-out, find-a-way win - the kind that doesn’t always look good but still counts the same in the standings. Iowa didn’t play its best basketball, but with key contributions from Sage, Banks, and Howard, plus a defense that forced turnovers at the right times, they did enough to get the job done.
Now at 4-4 in the Big Ten, Iowa has a chance to reset with an extended break before hosting USC. There’s plenty to clean up - rebounding, consistency, and offensive rhythm among them - but there’s also plenty to build on.
Sometimes, the most important thing is simply surviving and advancing. And on this night, that’s exactly what Iowa did.