Iowa’s Win Streak Snapped in College Park as Terrapins Close Strong
All good things eventually hit a wall, and for Iowa men’s basketball, that wall was Maryland on Wednesday night. The Hawkeyes saw their six-game win streak come to a halt in College Park, falling 77-70 in a game that was as back-and-forth as they come-until it wasn’t.
This one stings a bit more than your average loss. Not just because Iowa had been rolling, but because this was their first Quad 3 loss of the season. And while Maryland came in with just four wins in its last five outings, the Terrapins looked every bit like a team ready to defend its home court-and then some.
The game featured 10 lead changes and 10 ties, a tug-of-war where neither team could quite pull away-until Maryland delivered the knockout blow. An 8-0 run late in the second half gave the Terrapins the breathing room they needed, and the Hawkeyes couldn’t claw back.
Despite Iowa forcing 14 turnovers, the Hawkeyes couldn’t capitalize. They managed just nine points off those takeaways and only five in transition. For a team that’s often at its best when it’s running, that lack of fast-break production was a glaring issue.
Offensively, Bennett Stirtz did everything he could to keep Iowa in it. The senior guard poured in 32 points for the second straight game, showcasing the full range of his scoring arsenal.
He was relentless, but he didn’t get much help. Only Tavion Banks joined him in double figures, adding 13 points and leading the team with eight rebounds.
Alvaro Folgueiras, who had been trending upward with three double-digit scoring games in his last four outings, couldn’t find a rhythm. He was held scoreless, though he did chip in with four boards and three assists. Still, Iowa needed more from its supporting cast-especially in a game where Maryland’s duo of Andre Mills and David Coit combined for 41 points.
The Terrapins also dominated the glass, outrebounding Iowa by 10. That disparity helped Maryland control the tempo late and seal the win.
Now, things get real for the Hawkeyes. This Maryland matchup was the only non-Quad 1 opponent in a tough four-game stretch, and up next are three straight Quad 1 games-including back-to-back ranked showdowns against No.
13 Purdue and No. 7 Nebraska.
Iowa currently holds the eighth spot in the Big Ten standings, which is the final position that earns a double-bye in the conference tournament. With the margin for error shrinking, every possession, every rebound, and every missed opportunity will matter even more from here on out.
Next up: a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena awaits as the Hawkeyes host Purdue on Saturday at 4 p.m. The stakes?
High. The atmosphere?
Electric. And for Iowa, it’s a chance to bounce back and prove their recent surge wasn’t just a hot streak-it was a signal of what this team is capable of when it’s firing on all cylinders.