Iowa Hawkeyes Secure Narrow Victory Over USC
In a nail-biting finish, the Iowa Hawkeyes edged out USC 73-72 on Wednesday night in Iowa City, thanks in large part to Bennett Stirtz’s two crucial free throws with only 4.6 seconds left in the game. This victory improved Iowa’s record to 15 wins and 5 losses, holding a 5-4 mark in Big Ten play.
Game Highlights
Despite building a considerable lead of 17 points in the second half, Iowa saw their advantage dwindle as USC mounted a fierce comeback, briefly taking a 72-71 lead with just eight ticks remaining on the clock. Stirtz was fouled by Jerry Easter II, leading to his decisive free throws that reinstated Iowa’s lead.
Stirtz wasn’t alone in his scoring efforts; Tavion Banks matched his 20-point contribution before fouling out with a little over three minutes left to play. The Hawkeyes initially surged ahead after a dominant 20-4 run early in the second half. However, USC’s Kam Woods turned the tide for his team with an astounding individual effort, scoring 19 consecutive points in the second half and leading to a comeback that saw the Trojans momentarily capture the lead. Woods finished the night with a remarkable total of 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, having remained on the court for all 40 minutes, a stark contrast to his previous season high of merely eight points.
First Half Overview
At halftime, USC was holding a slight edge at 28-27, with Chad Baker-Mazara playing a pivotal role in that half, contributing 11 points of his total 13. Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras added depth to the team’s performance with 14 points and five rebounds, while Kael Combs facilitated play with a team-leading four assists.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, USC will play at home against Rutgers on Saturday, while Iowa prepares for an away game against Oregon on Sunday. Fans can stay updated with poll notifications and news on the AP Top 25 throughout the season by signing up for alerts through the AP News mobile app.
