Iowa guard Tony Freeman made a timely return as the Hawkeyes won at UNI 62-55. Iowa committed 18 turnovers but made 10-of-17 shots from three point range. Iowa coach Todd Lickliter says they found a way to get it done, and says while they are a work in progress, it was a big win for them.
Lickliter says the key was the Hawk’s 37-16 advantage on the glass. He says his team has shown character and if they continue to do that, then he says they can determine how the game is played and be successful. Lickliter says they really defended with purpose. Tony Freeman had 15 points in his first game since breaking a foot in an exhibition game. Freeman says it was a game-time decision and his foot was sore, but he put it in the whirlpool and got ready.
The Panthers fall to 6-2 and had won the last three games against the Hawks in Cedar Falls. UNI coach Ben Jacobsen says they had a great crowd that was ready for them to play well and they didn’t play well. Jacobsen credited Iowa for hitting the shots from three-point range when they needed them.
Senior forward Eric Coleman led UNI with 13 points and said the Panthers got out worked on the boards. Coleman says Iowa fought harder on the boards than his team, and he says that’s not like them to get out fought. Coleman says the Hawkeyes deserve credit for the effort. Coleman says Freeman’s return gave Iowa a boost, as he says Freeman is their floor general and he changed the dynamic of the team.
The Hawkeyes improve to 6-4.