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Iowa Basketball: Free Throws, Bench Scoring Hurt Iowa in Loss to Indiana

By Dylan Burn

Feb 11, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) is defended by Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) during the first period of the game at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) is defended by Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) during the first period of the game at Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Iowa Basketball team knew they’d be facing a tough Indiana team in a tough environment on Thursday night.  They needed to rebound well and score in bunches if they wanted to keep pace with the Hoosiers. 

When it started, it looked like it might get ugly.  But we’re all smart enough fans that we knew Iowa would make their comeback.  Talented Indiana freshman, Thomas Bryant, was killing Iowa early on as he had four points and five rebounds, four of which were on the offensive side of the ball, before we’d even hit the first media timeout.

Fortunately, Bryant played like a freshman and also picked up two personal fouls before the first media timeout.  This was excellent news and Iowa figured to be feasting on the offensive glass now that Bryant was sitting down.  Tom Crean got really good minutes from Max Bielfeldt all night, especially in the first half.  Bielfeldt came in for Bryant and was scrappy on the glass, making life difficult for the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes struggled keeping pace with Hoosiers throughout the middle part of the first half because Indiana was red hot from just about anywhere on the court.  Iowa found themselves down 36-20 at one point, but they never panicked.  They ended the first half on an 18-9 run and had cut the lead down to 7.  This seemed like a miracle considering where they were at.

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I always preach that the first four minutes of the second half are arguably the most important of the entire game.  Well, it seemed like Iowa always answered me.  They went on an early 7-0 run to tie the game at 45 over the first two minutes and 19 seconds, which forced Crean to call a timeout.

The Hawkeyes would grab a small lead and would keep it for about five minutes midway through the 2nd half.  However, after Jarrod Uthoff made a jumper with 10:47 left in the game, the Hawkeyes went ice cold.  They didn’t record a field goal for the next four minutes and 38 seconds, while splitting every free throw opportunity they had.  When Iowa finally did get a field goal, Indiana had stretched the lead to six points.

The Hawks got it down to three points at 79-76 with just over 20 seconds left, but failed to foul on the inbound play that followed.  That led to a Colin Hartman dunk at the other end, which pretty much sealed the victory for Indiana, 85-78.

Iowa killed themselves at the free throw line.  The Hawkeyes shot an abysmal 13-23 at the stripe, while Indiana hit 18-21.  That was undoubtedly a big time factor in the game tonight.  The fact that the Hawkeyes didn’t get anything from their bench, is disappointing, especially when you consider Indiana got 28 from the five guys off their bench.  The rebounding was bad in the first half, but actually ended up being much closer in the end at 39-35 in favor of Indiana.

Iowa was led by Jarrod Uthoff, who had a game high 24 points in the loss.  Iowa’s big man, Adam Woodbury, recorded yet another double double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.  Nine of those boards came on the offensive end.

This game doesn’t define Iowa’s season at all.  Losing road games to good teams in tough venues is not a bad thing.  This does create a logjam at the top of the Big Ten between Iowa, IU, and Maryland.  With six games left, it sets up to be a three team race, but Indiana has a very tough schedule with four of their six remaining games being against ranked opponents.

Iowa will get another crack at Indiana on March 1st in Iowa City.  That is a game the Hawkeyes will most likely be circling on their calendars.

Iowa gets back at it on Wednesday when they travel to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions.  Indiana stubbed their toe their last week and the last thing Iowa needs is a loss to a team they beat 24 earlier in the year.

That game between Iowa and PSU will be this Wednesday and will tip off at 5:30 p.m. CT.

Stay locked into Dear Old Gold for constant coverage of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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