From Iowa Sports Information
The University of Iowa men’s basketball team beat Washington State, 76-66, on Friday at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK.
The first half was a closely contested battle, with Washington State taking an early lead, leading by as much as nine points. Washington State led 36-33 at halftime.
Iowa’s comeback was spearheaded by Owen Freeman, who dominated the paint with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Payton Sandfort also played a crucial role, contributing 18 points and six rebounds. The Hawkeye defense tightened in the second half, forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 20 points.
The second half saw Iowa outscore the Cougars by 13 points. The Hawkeyes took control with a series of key plays, including pivotal 3-pointers by Drew Thelwell that shifted the momentum. With the game in the balance, Iowa made all 10 free-throw attempts over the last 61 seconds. Iowa’s bench also made significant contributions, adding 23 points compared to WSU’s eight.
The game featured 16 lead changes and nine ties, keeping the 8,488 fans in attendance on the edge of their seats. Iowa’s largest lead came in the final moments, extending to 10 points.