Three Iowa basketball stars that sparked road win vs. Rutgers

Posted by author February 14, 2025 Basketball

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After a three-game losing streak and winless on the road so far, Iowa basketball (14-10, 5-8 Big Ten) halted their skid with a 84-73 victory on Wednesday night vs. Rutgers (12-13, 5-9) from Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, NJ.

Even with an injury to Drew Thelwell that kept the senior out of the lineup, the Hawkeyes shot an impressive 34-for-67 (50.8%) shooting night from the floor, including 7-for-25 (28%) from beyond the arc, and 9-of-10 (90%) from the charity stripe.

Defensively, Iowa forced 15 Rutgers’ turnovers, including eight steals and four blocks. Iowa also improved dramatically on the defensive boards by securing 23 rebounds, which proved pivotal late in the game.

With the Hawkeyes three-game losing streak vanquished, here are the three stars from their win vs. Rutgers.

Josh Dix

Dix had an impressive night from the field by scoring a team-leading 26 points off 11-for-17 (64.7%) from the floor, 2-for-6 (33.3%) from deep, and 2-for-2 (100%) from the charity stripe. In addition to his scoring, Dix registered four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 39 minutes.

Dix’s performance is even more impressive with the fact that 16 of his 26 points occurred in the second-half as the Hawkeyes mounted a comeback from a nine-point halftime defacit.

Wednesday’s outing gives Dix 20+ points in two of Iowa’s last three contest and his fifth 20-point game of the season and ninth of his career.

Payton Sandfort

Sandfort had another stellar night as he scored 20 points on 7-for-17 (41.2%) from the floor, 4-for-11 (36.4%) from deep, and 2-for-2 (100%) from the charity stripe. The senior forward also registered six rebounds and three assists in his 38 minutes of action.

While Sandfort did tweak his ankle late in the first half, the injury did not deter his effort to provide offense for the Hawkeyes against Rutgers. Wednesday was also his team-high 10th 20+ point game of the season and second in three games.

Ladji Dembele

While Dembele has had a difficult season so far figuring out his role with the Hawkeyes, he was a difference maker late in the second half as he finished the game with nine points on 4-for-6 (66.7%) from the floor and 1-for-2 (50%) from the free-throw line. The sophomore forward also registered four rebounds, two assists, and one block to close out his 21 minutes of action.

Dembele’s scrappy and athletic play on both side of the ball late in the game was crucial toward the Hawkeyes ability to pull away and stifle the Scarlet Knights down the stretch.

Iowa’s Wednesday night victory over Rutgers is also significant as it qualifies as the Hawkeyes’ first Quad 1 win of the season.

Iowa will continue on the road for their next matchup as they travel down the Atlantic coast to College Park, Md., for a Sunday afternoon battle vs. No. 25 Maryland (18-6, 8-5) from the XFINITY Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FS1.