Iowa Snaps Skid in Style: Stirtz, Banks Power Statement Win Over Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sometimes, all it takes is one road win to reset the tone of a season. For Iowa, that moment came Saturday in Bloomington. The Hawkeyes not only snapped a three-game losing streak - their longest under Ben McCollum since 2013 - they did it in emphatic fashion, taking down Indiana 74-57 for their first Quad 1 win of the year.
This one didn’t start pretty. In fact, for the first nine minutes, it looked like a rerun of Iowa’s recent stumbles against Minnesota and Illinois - sluggish offense, missed opportunities, and a whole lot of questions. But this time, the defense showed up early and made the trip worth it.
Despite managing just 10 points in the opening stretch, Iowa clamped down on the other end, holding Indiana to just eight points during that same span. It wasn’t flashy, but it kept the Hawkeyes in control long enough for the offense to wake up - and when it did, the game flipped.
The spark came from the free throw line, with Tavion Banks cashing in four straight, followed by a Bennett Stirtz layup that finally cracked the lid off the rim. From there, Iowa found its rhythm, stringing together a 13-5 run between the 10:47 and 7:55 marks of the first half. That run opened up an 11-point lead and forced Indiana to play catch-up the rest of the way.
The Hoosiers didn’t go quietly. Tayton Conerway, the 2025 Sun Belt Player of the Year and a serious problem when he gets downhill, sliced through the defense for four straight layups. Add in buckets from Sam Alexis and another Conerway jumper, and Indiana clawed back to within five.
But that’s when Bennett Stirtz took over.
After a few quiet outings, the former Drake standout reminded everyone why he earned All-American honors last season. He poured in 14 first-half points on 5-of-7 shooting, added four assists, and did it all with poise and control. Whether it was finding Favour Manyawu on the roll, kicking out to Isaia Howard for a jumper, or drawing contact and knocking down free throws, Stirtz was everywhere.
Kael Combs drilled a three, Banks added a layup, and Stirtz kept cashing in at the stripe. By halftime, Iowa had built a 38-28 lead - and more importantly, they looked like a team that had found its identity again.
The second half? More of the same.
Indiana made another push, trimming the lead down to four. But every time the Hoosiers threatened, Stirtz responded.
Between the 15:47 and 14:46 marks, he knocked down five straight free throws after Indiana’s Josh Enright picked up his fourth foul. Then, with the lead hanging in the balance, Stirtz buried a deep three to push the margin back to seven.
And just when Indiana thought it had a chance, Stirtz delivered the dagger - a cold-blooded step-back triple over 6-foot-10 Reed Bailey that stretched the lead to 10 and silenced the home crowd.
It wasn’t just Stirtz, though. Tavion Banks had his best game of the season, and it wasn’t close.
The former JUCO standout dropped 26 points, attacked the rim with purpose, and knocked down shots from all over the floor. He even splashed in a three for good measure.
Banks also played a key role defensively, especially in the second half before Conerway exited with an ankle injury.
Banks added eight rebounds to his stat line and was a constant disruptor on both ends. His energy, combined with Stirtz’s steady hand, gave Iowa the one-two punch it needed to not just win - but dominate.
The Hawkeyes shot 50% from the field, hit seven threes, and knocked down 21-of-23 free throws - a blistering 91%. They also won the assist battle 15-9, scored 17 points off turnovers, and posted an impressive 1.298 points per possession. That’s elite offensive efficiency, especially on the road in Big Ten play.
For McCollum, it was a signature win against a familiar face in Indiana head coach Darian DeVries - both former Drake leaders now navigating their first seasons at new programs. On Saturday, it was McCollum’s group that looked more connected, more disciplined, and more dangerous.
Stars of the Game
Bennett Stirtz - This was the version of Stirtz Iowa’s been waiting for. Confident, controlled, and lethal.
He finished with 27 points, hit big shots in big moments, and ran the offense with precision. When the game needed a closer, he stepped up and slammed the door.
Tavion Banks - Banks brought the juice. His 26 points came on an efficient mix of drives, jumpers, and free throws, and his work on the glass and defensive intensity helped Iowa control the tempo. This was a complete performance from a player who looked locked in from the jump.
Stat Lines That Told the Story
- Assists: Iowa 15, Indiana 9
- Field Goal %: Iowa 50% (23-46), Indiana 38% (20-52)
- Three-Point %: Iowa 37% (7-19), Indiana 25% (6-24)
- Free Throws: Iowa 91% (21-23), Indiana 73% (11-15)
- Points Off Turnovers: Iowa 17, Indiana 6
- Points Per Possession: Iowa 1.298, Indiana 1.000
This was the bounce-back Iowa needed - not just for the standings, but for the confidence of a group still finding its footing under a new regime. If Stirtz and Banks can keep this up, the Hawkeyes might just be turning the corner at the right time.