Iowa vs. Wisconsin: A Tale of Two Halves
In a game that showcased the highs and lows of college basketball, Iowa's men’s team put on an impressive first-half display against the No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers.
The Hawkeyes, boasting a 19-7 record, went toe-to-toe with their Big Ten rivals, holding a slim 1-point advantage at halftime. But as we know, basketball is a game of two halves, and the second half belonged to Wisconsin.
The Badgers, sitting at 19-8, found their rhythm in the latter part of the game, orchestrating two decisive 10-0 runs that left Iowa reeling. This surge propelled Wisconsin to an 84-71 victory at the Kohl Center on Sunday afternoon, marking a tough road loss for the Hawkeyes.
Facing a gauntlet of ranked opponents, Iowa has now dropped two out of their last three matchups over an intense eight-day stretch. Despite the loss, the Hawkeyes had some standout performances.
Bennett Stirtz was on fire, leading the charge with 23 points, marking his ninth game in the last ten with at least 20 points. Tate Sage chipped in with a solid 11 points, his first double-digit outing since January 20th against Rutgers.
Alvaro Folgueiras matched Sage’s contribution, while Tavion Banks added 10 points to the mix.
However, Iowa's defense struggled to contain Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd, who was unstoppable with 27 points. Boyd also dished out 10 assists, securing a double-double and setting the tone for the Badgers. Nolan Winter, John Blackwell, and Austin Rapp also made their presence felt, with Winter adding 18 points, Blackwell scoring all 13 of his points in the second half, and Rapp contributing 14.
A pivotal moment came in the final two minutes when Iowa’s Isaia Howard received a technical foul for dead ball contact, sealing the game in favor of Wisconsin as they held Iowa scoreless during that stretch.
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes will aim to bounce back as they return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for a showdown with Ohio State on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Fans will be eager to see if Iowa can regain their form and secure a crucial win on home turf.