The University of Iowa men’s basketball team made a stunning comeback to defeat Rutgers, 84-73, at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Wednesday night. The Hawkeyes improved to 14-10 on the season and 5-8 in Big Ten Conference play with their first true road win and quadrant one win.
Rutgers dominated the early stages of the game, opening a 10-point lead. However, Iowa fought back behind senior Payton Sandfort’s impressive start, scoring 13 of the team’s first 21 points. The Hawkeyes’ momentum shifted as they made seven straight field goals to take their first lead.
Despite being pushed back by Rutgers, sophomore Brock Harding converted on a lay-up right before halftime, cutting the deficit to single digits. The game remained close throughout, with both teams struggling from beyond the arc. Iowa’s Josh Dix emerged as a dominant force in the second half, scoring 26 points and helping the Hawkeyes secure a narrow lead.
Payton Sandfort contributed significantly with 20 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Brock Harding added 13 points and seven assists, while junior Pryce Sandfort rounded out the double-digit scoring list with 10 points. The Hawkeyes ultimately outscored Rutgers in the paint, 44-28, and secured their first road win of the season.
Iowa’s victory marked a significant turnaround, with the team now boasting a 51-31 edge in scoring over Rutgers during the second half.
Source: https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/02/12/hawkeyes-rally-to-defeat-scarlet-knights-84-73