IOWA CITY, Iowa– The Hawkeyes took care of business 83-58 over Rider inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. A variety of contributors make the different, but ultimately Freeman and the transfer really helped push Iowa over the top.
Freeman took over the game early with a pair of buckets underneath and Rider could do nothing about it. The Broncs were also allowing a few open three-point opportunities– Pryce Sandfort got the lid off the basket for the first triple of the game. The Hawkeyes erupted to a 9-4 lead right out of the gate. Brock Harding’s peskiness in the passing lanes along with Iowa’s defensive rebounding frustrated Rider early.
The Broncs would battle back by holding Iowa without a field goal for more than three minutes while making four of five shots to bring themselves within five with 13:53 remaining. Payton Sandfort would help break Iowa’s cold-spell by making five straight points with back-to-back possessions.
Drew Thelwell and Seydou Traore give Iowa a different look defensively and it helps spark them in fast break. Iowa went on a 12-2 run led by those two along with Payton Sandfort to put Iowa back in front 25-12 with 8:05 remaining. The Hawkeye full court press frustrated Rider and forced a 10-second violation for the second straight game.
Traore might not be among Iowa’s leading scorers this season, but his energy and skill-set does something with this Iowa team. His defensive intensity and ability in the fast break really help open things up on the floor.
It was a hot and cold game for Iowa in the first 20 minutes. They would go more than three minutes without scoring and nobody could buy a bucket from three-point range. A handful of airballs and nothing at the rim created some frustration. McCaffery’s group managed to obtain a double-digit lead at the half.
Three turnovers in the first two minutes wasn’t idea, but Iowa was putting the ball in the basket. A Pryce Sandfort three-pointer along with some fast-break layups by Payton Sandfort helped the Hawkeyes open up a 20-point lead in the first four minutes.
Rider struggled to get back with Iowa’s fast break ability. The Hawkeyes scored 17 of their first 63 points in the fast break. Iowa’s offense was as consistent as it had been all season in the second-half– it was also some of the best basketball they have played.
Questions about the Hawkeyes’ defense have been prevalent throughout the past several years and there’s a lot to be determined with this squad, but they have more defensive pieces that give them potential.
The Hawkeyes held Rider to 1-of-14 from three-point range.
Star(s) of the Game:
Owen Freeman- Iowa’s post has started to return to what he was last season. He utilized his leverage and size inside to do whatever he wanted to inside. The Hawkeyes are going to need Freeman to stay out of foul trouble and be a force in the paint. Freeman has been adamant that he can shoot from outside and he’s eager to showcase it. For now, he is controlling what he can control and doing what Iowa needs from him.
Freeman ended with 19 points and five rebounds.
Drew Thelwell- Don’t let his lack of points fool you– Thelwell was tremendous and has proven that he’s a perfect fit for what Iowa wants to do on both ends of the floor. He brings a different level of athleticism, defensive intensity and the intangible traits that will lead to wins in Big Ten play. Iowa doesn’t need Thelwell to be the go-to guy on offense, but they need the other things that he brings to the table.
Honorable Mention- Payton Sandfort
It wasn’t a memorable three-point shooting night for him, but there are so many things that he does for Iowa. He has grown as a passer, emerged as a rebounder and has found different ways to get buckets when they need to.
He finished with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Up Next: The Hawkeyes head to another neutral site game where they’ll take on a good Utah State team. This will be one of the few remaining tests in Iowa’s non-conference play before they head into the Big Ten gauntlet.
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