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The Iowa Hawkeyes had a adjacent telephone successful nan 2nd half but still managed to people a 68-62 triumph over Rutgers astatine Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
This triumph brought their grounds to 14-5 wide and 4-4 successful Big Ten. A triumph that seemed to beryllium very easy astatine first almost turned into a nonaccomplishment erstwhile nan Scarlet Knights started nan 2nd half pinch a 9-0 run, took distant nan seven-point halftime lead, and moreover led concisely astatine 33-31.
However, nan Hawkeyes did not suffer their nervus and they showed their calmness astatine nan important moment. Bennett Stirtz was nan starring performer pinch 20 points and 5 assists, while freshman Tate Sage went disconnected nan chair pinch a career-high 17 points.
This triumph was Iowa's 2nd consecutive victory, but it besides revealed nan inconsistency that mightiness haunt them passim convention play, a nonaccomplishment to decorativeness disconnected weaker opponents successful a cleanable and convincing manner.
Tate Sage's Emergence Signals Crucial Depth Down nan Stretch
The astir important point from nan triumph mightiness beryllium Tate Sage's career-high 17 points. The freshman made 4 three-pointers and played 30 minutes, some profession highs, and locked nan triumph pinch 2 clutch free throws successful nan past seconds.
It was not only astir scoring. When Rutgers was connected nan verge of stealing nan game, Sage's readiness to find his hit and people allowed Iowa to person nan secondary scoring action that they've been lacking.
Turnover Margin Remains Iowa's Most Dominant Weapon
Iowa was capable to unit Rutgers into 19 turnovers and get 19 points retired of those mistakes, which should person easy led to a blowout. However, nan Hawkeyes' ain mistakes pinch 12 turnovers allowed Rutgers to enactment adjacent and moreover frighten precocious successful nan game.
This is nan paradox of Iowa's identity. They've been almost unbeatable erstwhile they smother opponents defensively and tally distant pinch nan crippled successful transition. However, if they get sloppy pinch nan ball, they extremity up giving easy opponents nan opportunity to instrumentality astir and moreover hit them.
Stirtz's Midgame Takeover
Jan 20, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defender Bennett Stirtz (14) controls nan shot arsenic Rutgers Scarlet Knights defender Darren Buchanan Jr. (5) defends during nan 2nd half astatine Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
With 8:22 near connected nan clock, Stirtz made a play that turned nan game's momentum successful favour of Iowa. Driving to nan handbasket for a soft layup, he put Iowa up 46-45, a lead they kept for nan remainder of nan game.
It wasn't astir nan 2 points, really. It was much astir nan truth that Stirtz, connected a important possession, was capable to thrust nan lane truthful confidently and astatine specified a speedy pace.
That stat statement of his pinch 20 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals doesn't really indicate that he was a ascendant player. But stats can't show nan truth that erstwhile nan stakes were highest, Stirtz was nan 1 who controlled nan game's storyline.
Over his past 5 games, Stirtz is averaging much than 21 points. This high-level capacity has distanced him from nan doubts which were raised earlier successful nan play astir his compatibility pinch caput coach Ben McCollum's system.
Don't hide to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes connected SI for nan latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting sum and more!
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