Iowa shot a sizzling 59 percent in the opening half to build a 44-29 lead at the break and the Hawkeyes cruised to a 78-64 win over No. 25 Iowa State. It was the Hawkeyes most complete effort of the season.
“I’m really proud of the guys and how they hung in their together” said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. “We played nine guys double figure minutes. This was a team victory and everybody contributed.”
Peter Jok led Iowa with 23 points while sophomore Nicholas Baer provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and eight rebounds as the Hawkeyes snapped the Cyclones’ three game winning streak in the series.
“I am from Bettendorf and when I go home half of the people have the Hawkeye logo and half have the Cyclone logo in their driveway”, said Baer. “It is always going to be an instate rivalry and I am glad we got our guys a taste of victory here.”
Iowa State tried to rally in the second half but could get no closer than seven points.
“We did not play our best tonight and credit them for winning the game”, said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm. We lost this game in the first half.”
Matt Thomas led Iowa State with 14 points as the Cyclones fall to 6-3.