Winning on the road is tough but it is nearly impossible without good defense. Minnesota shot a sizzling 61 percent for the game, including 11 of 19 from three point as the Gophers beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 95-89 as the Hawks continue to tumble down the Big Ten standings.
The Gophers took control by outscoring the Hawks 30-15 to close the opening half. “They were hot, but at the same time we weren’t doing the necessary things to get stops at the three point line,” according to junior forward Aaron White who finished with 21 points. White says the Hawkeyes had too many defensive breakdowns. He says they didn’t find the shooters in transition and didn’t come of the ball screens with the urgency needed.
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says the Hawks don’t have time to hang their heads as they return to action Thursday at Indiana. He says he’d says the same thing if they won a close game, as they now have to get on a plane and go play Indiana on the road. Roy Devyn Marble led the Hawks with 24 points. Iowa is 8-6 in the Big Ten and 19-8 overall.