The Iowa Hawkeyes pulled off a thrilling upset over the defending champion Florida Gators with a nail-biting 73-72 victory, thanks to a clutch three-pointer by Alvaro Folgueiras with just 4.5 seconds left on the clock. From the get-go, the Hawkeyes showed grit and determination, building a ten-point lead in the first half and maintaining control for over 26 minutes.
Despite an off night from the field, Bennett Stirtz contributed significantly with 13 points and 5 crucial assists, including the one that set up the game-winning shot. Tavion Banks led the charge with 20 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting, while Folgueiras chipped in 14 points.
Folgueiras' night was nearly cut short after a tense moment with Alex Condon on a rebound, leading to technical fouls for both players. The intensity was palpable, and Iowa played with a noticeable edge, particularly in the paint, where they racked up 18 points and out-rebounded the Gators 18-14. This aggressive approach helped the Hawkeyes surge ahead with a 15-2 run.
Tavion Banks was instrumental in the first half, scoring 14 points and helping Iowa take a slim 33-31 lead into the break, despite the team’s struggles from beyond the arc, hitting just 1 of 11 attempts.
The second half saw Iowa finding their rhythm from downtown. Cooper Koch, after a quiet first half due to foul trouble, came alive with a hot hand, nailing four of five three-pointers. His sharpshooting was pivotal, fueling a 13-2 run that pushed Iowa’s lead to 51-39 early in the half.
Florida fought back, with Thomas Haugh relentless in the paint, eventually giving the Gators a 67-66 lead. Condon extended it with another layup, but Iowa responded with a Folgueiras-assisted dunk by Banks.
In the final moments, Iowa's defense stood tall. After a missed layup by Xaivian Lee, the Hawkeyes forced a crucial turnover.
Stirtz then hit a midrange jumper to narrow the gap to 71-70. Following a defensive stop, Isaiah Brown had a chance to extend the lead but only managed one of two free throws.
With the game on the line, Iowa's defense held firm, preventing Florida from getting a clean shot off, sealing a memorable victory and setting the stage for what could be an exciting tournament run.