Wisconsin Badgers Triumph Over Iowa Hawkeyes
In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, the 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers secured an 84-71 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, showcasing both strategy and skill in the final minutes. Nick Boyd delivered a standout performance, contributing 27 points to the team’s success, while Nolan Winter supported him with 18 points.
Key Moments of the Game
The game took a dramatic turn when Bennett Stirtz‘s layup narrowed Iowa’s deficit to just three points at 68-65. However, Wisconsin responded decisively, with Austin Rapp sinking two crucial 3-pointers that sparked a commanding 10-0 run, pushing the score to 78-65 with nearly four minutes left. John Blackwell later added four consecutive free throws, extending the lead to 82-69, securing their advantage with one minute remaining in the game.
Blackwell and Rapp also made solid contributions, scoring 13 and 14 points, respectively, for Wisconsin, which improved its season record to 19-8 overall and 11-5 in the Big Ten Conference. This victory was particularly sweet for the Badgers, as it came on the heels of a challenging 86-69 defeat to Ohio State.
Individual Performances
For Iowa, Stirtz was the star of the night, scoring 23 points, while Alvaro Folgueiras and Tate Sage each added 11 points. Despite their efforts, Iowa’s record fell to 19-8 and 9-7 in conference play. Both teams had faced challenging matches leading into this game, with Iowa winning a close contest against the ninth-ranked Nebraska earlier this week.
Shooting Efficiency
Wisconsin exhibited impressive shooting throughout the game, achieving 53.8% from the field and sinking 10 of 24 from three-point range. They also demonstrated strong free-throw shooting, hitting 18 out of 20 attempts, including 14 of 15 in the decisive second half. Boyd and Winter were particularly efficient in their shooting, with Boyd making 9 of 16 attempts and Winter 8 of 11.
Looking Ahead
The Badgers, who fell behind by nine points early, managed to stay within a point at halftime, trailing Iowa 41-40 despite Blackwell’s limited play time due to foul trouble. With a strong second half, Wisconsin’s performance proved to be timely and crucial as they aim for momentum in the Big Ten season.
Looking ahead, Iowa will host Ohio State this Wednesday, while Wisconsin is set to face off against Oregon on the same day, continuing the chase for a solid postseason position in the highly competitive conference.
