It wasn’t pretty early but Iowa eventually got their offense going and held off Maryland in the second half to advance to play Ohio State tomorrow at 11 a.m. on KWPC. Cooper Koch hit for 6 of 10 from the field and led the Hawkeyes with 19 points followed by Bennett Stirtz with 17.
Iowa had five players in double digits on the day and put forth a much better defensive showing than in their loss to Maryland earlier this season. In that February contest, the Terrapins shot 53% from the field and 35% from deep. Today the difference was Iowa’s defense, holding Maryland to 43% from the field and 33% from deep. The Terrapins also committed 16 turnovers, which Iowa turned into 21 points and outshot Maryland 51% to 43% from the field.
Cooper Koch stayed hot from deep, making 6-of-10 from deep. Koch has now scored in double-figures in three of the last four games, including three games of at least 18 points. After a rough showing in the first half, the Hawkeyes were smoking hot offensively after halftime, shooting 62% from the field and 54% from deep.
This was one of the games Iowa was supposed to win and in the end they did. It wasn’t a repeat of Penn State or the Maryland game in College Park. Beating the teams Iowa is supposed to this season has been hit or miss. It felt like in the second half today the Hawkeyes changed that storyline. That should help them cement an NCAA Tournament bid.
Tomorrow Iowa will face Ohio State who they defeated earlier in the season at 1 p.m. Broadcast time on KWPC will be 12:30 p.m. Coverage is brought to you by Muscatine Power and Water, serving the community since 1900. Get more info at mpw.org
Game Notes
Used a season-best 21-0 run, taking advantage of 12 Maryland turnovers, to pull
away in the second half.
Iowa has won at least one game in six of the last eight Big Ten Tournaments.
Iowa has pulled even (24-24) all-time at the Big Ten Tournament.
