Second half run helps Badgers hand Hawks first conference loss

Wisconsin went on an 8-0 run to start the second half breaking open a close game, and Iowa wasn’t able to regain the lead, falling to the Badgers 74-61 last night in Madison in their first Big Ten loss. Iowa Coach Steve Alford says it was the first half, not the second that did them in. He says he thought they were the team with more energy and focus in the first half, but had too many turnovers and didn’t build the lead beyond one point. Alford says there were bright spots as they shot 56-percent, and got more free throws and rebounds than Wisconsin.Greg Brunner led Iowa with 14 points, and had seven rebounds. He says the surge by Wisconsin at the start of the second half was key. He says they came out with a blitzkrieg and put them on their heels. Brunner says they uncharacteristically gave up a lot of turnovers after playing so well in the first three conference games. Three other Hawkeyes hit double figures, with Sean Sonderlieter and Chauncey Leslie each hitting 12 points and Jared Reiner put in 10 points. Iowa falls to 3-1 in the conference and 11-4 overall. They face Ohio State on Saturday.