The second largest second-half comeback win in Iowa’s men’s basketball history was all but complete.
Six seconds remained on the Carver-Hawkeye Arena clock, and guard Payton Sandfort jumped and thrust his fist twice toward the crowd.
Near the Iowa bench, Patrick McCaffery danced and laughed before circling the half-court to celebrate with anyone and everyone.
Iowa’s 90-85 win over Minnesota on Sunday felt like a season-saver, a victory for a team that certainly needed one.
The Hawkeyes (14-10 overall, 6-7 Big Ten) were down by 20 points in the second half before unleashing a furious rally against the staggered Gophers (15-8, 6-6), who were good until they weren’t.
“That’s kind of just who we are,” Sandfort said. “And that’s the way we’ve been the whole year.”
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery, asked about what was the recipe for this comeback, recited the ingredients.
“It’s the way comebacks always happen,” McCaffery said. “You have to be better defensively. You have to stay the course.”