The Iowa Hawkeyes showcased their resilience in a thrilling 73-72 victory over the USC Trojans, overcoming a challenging start and a late-game surge from the Trojans.
Iowa, now holding a record of 15-5 overall and 5-4 in conference play, initially found themselves in a 10-0 hole, but rallied to build a 17-point lead in the second half. However, as the game progressed, the Trojans capitalized on Iowa’s slip, edging ahead with under a minute left. Ultimately, it was two crucial free throws from Bennett Stirtz that sealed the win for Iowa, allowing them to venture above .500 in conference action.
Both Stirtz and Tavion Banks led the scoring for the Hawkeyes, each netting 20 points. Banks is just four free throws short of tying Chris Street’s record of 34 consecutive makes, showcasing his elite free-throw shooting. Alvaro Folgueiras also had an impressive outing, contributing 14 points and making critical plays late in the game.
The first half set the stage for a defensive battle, as the Trojans, led by Chad Baker-Mazara, took an early commanding lead. USC’s strong start seemed to foreshadow a low-scoring affair, but the Hawkeyes dug deep defensively, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their rebounding opportunities. Despite trailing 28-27 at halftime, Iowa’s defense kept them in the game, forcing ten Trojan turnovers during the half.
The second half saw Stirtz spark the offense with his three-point shot, followed by a commanding performance from Banks, who scored consecutively to extend Iowa’s lead. However, defensive lapses in the final minutes allowed USC to come back, with Woods leading the charge and scoring 33 points, including 27 in the second half.
As the clock wound down, Iowa’s lead narrowed, and tension mounted when the Trojans surged. Stirtz’s last-minute free throws were pivotal, particularly after a chaotic final play where USC aimed for a high-stakes shot to clinch the game. With their victory, the Hawkeyes not only retained their honor but also learned a valuable lesson about maintaining focus and composure throughout the entirety of a game.
Looking ahead, Iowa will face Oregon next on February 1 at 6:00 PM CST, presenting an opportunity to continue their growth and capitalize on their hard-fought progress in the season. The experience from this match may serve as a motivating reminder for the Hawkeyes to stay sharp and finish strong in future contests.