Iowa loses close one to Mizzou

The Iowa basketball team will take an 8-3 record into Wednesday night’s Big Ten opener at Northwestern. The Hawkeyes closed the pre-conference schedule with an 8-3 record following an 88-82 loss to 16th ranked Missouri at home on Saturday. “This team’s just gotta keep fighting to get better and better,” Iowa coach Steve Alford says. He has been pleased with the effort. “I’m encouraged that we’ve played two nationally-ranked teams here, and we’ve really been in the game,” Alford says. “Our problems are correctable.” Junior guard Brody Boyd came off the bench with 13-points against Missouri and feels the Hawks are ready for the Big Ten.”Our bodies feel good. We’re in great shape,” Boyd says. “We just need to get better every day.”