Iowa got behind early and could never catch up in falling 75-55 to Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. Iowa Coach Steve Alford says the Boilermakers started out strong and never let up.

Alford says Purdue’s defense was better and it was almost a flip of the first game that Iowa won easily over Purdue. Alford says they only went 12 of 24 from the free-throw line and that was another area they couldn’t get going.

 Iowa needed to win the conference tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament and now must wait for an N-I-T bid. Alford says loses in the non-conference schedule hurt their chances of an at-large NCAA bid.

Alford says that was the difference as they ended up fourth in the league. Alford says they had a lot of inexperienced guys and that showed in the tournament. Now Alford says they have to wait and hope for a home game in the N-I-T. Tyler Smith led Iowa with 17 points. The Hawkeyes are now 17-14 overall.