As the NCAA Tournament kicks off, ninth-seeded Iowa is set to face off against eighth-seeded Clemson in the South Region. This marks Iowa's 30th appearance in the tournament, and they're looking to extend their 3-1 all-time series lead over Clemson.
The last time these two met, Iowa edged out a 74-71 victory at the Emerald Coast Classic in 2022. Now, they're back in Florida, this time at Benchmark International Arena, with a spot in the Round of 32 on the line.
As we dive into the game action, Iowa holds a narrow lead over Clemson with just over 13 seconds remaining in the second half. A critical timeout by Stirtz helps the Hawkeyes avoid a turnover, emphasizing the importance of ball protection and clutch free-throw shooting in these final moments.
In a pivotal moment, Iowa successfully challenges a call, maintaining possession with a six-point advantage and under a minute to play. Combs has been a standout, delivering a crucial basket as the shot clock dwindled, pushing Iowa's lead to six.
Clemson, not backing down, had earlier challenged a possession call but came up short. With under four minutes left, the Tigers were within striking distance, having narrowed a 14-point deficit thanks to some sharp shooting from Hunter, Thomas, and Porter.
Tate Sage has been a spark off the bench for Iowa, adding valuable points and energy to keep the Hawkeyes ahead. His contributions have complemented the efforts of Stirtz and Banks, ensuring Iowa stays competitive as the game progresses.
Clemson has been tenacious, especially in the paint, where they've outscored Iowa 18-10. This inside presence has been crucial in their comeback attempts. Yet, Iowa's outside shooting, led by Stirtz, has kept them in control, even as Clemson closed the gap to just two points at one stage.
At halftime, Iowa led 32-25, with Combs leading the charge with 11 points on perfect shooting. Stirtz, despite some shooting struggles, added eight points, while Banks and Koch contributed from beyond the arc. Iowa's shooting efficiency and rebounding edge have been key factors in maintaining their lead.
As the first half unfolded, Iowa's defense set the tone, limiting Clemson to just 21% shooting early on. Combs and Banks provided early scoring support for Stirtz, allowing Iowa to establish a double-figure lead.
Injury-wise, Iowa came in relatively healthy, while Clemson is missing a key player, Carter Welling, due to a torn ACL. His absence has been felt, particularly in rebounding and scoring.
For fans eager to catch the action, the game tips off at 5:50 p.m. CT. With both teams fighting for a spot in the next round, this matchup promises to be an exciting chapter in March Madness.