Quick Recap: Iowa State 84, Iowa 78

For the third consecutive game, Iowa turned the ball over 18 times, and for the third consecutive game, turnovers doomed Iowa’s chances of winning a game that was close late, as the Hawkeyes dropped their contest against the in-state Cyclones 84-78 in Hilton Coliseum.

The Hawkeyes looked poised to keep this one close, particularly at the end of the first half, when they led 41-36. Despite Tyler Cook scoring no points in the first half, they were able to keep the lead behind strong performances from Jordan Bohannon and Maishe Dailey, who combined to shoot 6/8, including 5/6 from deep. Iowa only turned the ball over six times in the first half and it appeared as though the turnover issues that have plagued them so often this season weren’t going to be a major factor in this one.

Obviously, this didn’t turn out to be the case - things unraveled in the second half and they unraveled in a damn hurry, as Iowa State was in the bonus with over 11 minutes remaining in the half and Iowa turned the ball over eight times in ten minutes. Credit to the Cyclones, though - while the Hawkeyes couldn’t stop shooting themselves in the foot with silly mistakes, Iowa State took advantage. Nick Weiler-Babb tallied 13 points and five assists in the half, while star in the making Lindell Wiggington led the team with 24 total points, including 14 second half points.

This game does inspire a bit of hope, though - outside the turnovers, most of the team played really well and looked like they were putting the pieces together. This was a much, much better performance than what they got in their last handful of contests and could be a stepping stone for the team, despite the loss.

The Hawkeyes draw Southern University in their next contest in a game that should allow them to hit the reset button. That game will be in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Other notes:

• Cordell Pemsl got back to his form from last season before exiting the game with an injury he sustained while sailing out of play to save a loose ball. He tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 17 minutes.
• The best player for Iowa might honestly have been freshman Jack Nunge, who started out hot for the Hawks. He scored 16 points and brought in eight rebounds. Most importantly: four assists and no turnovers!
• Brady Ellingson played a career-high 30 minutes in his first career start, but was an inefficient 3/11 from the field.
• FREE THROWS MATTER. IOWA ONLY MADE ONE OF EIGHT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
• Players not named Bohannon went 6/26 from range, which also will not do.
• Will the real Isaiah Moss please stand up? Moss was invisible for most of his 17 minutes after scoring Iowa’s first four points (and his only four points). He did the same thing against Virginia Tech, which is concerning.
• Luka Garza, Ahmad Wagner, and Ryan Kriener combined for just 18 minutes tonight. It looks like they’re the odd men out.
• Maishe Dailey didn’t do much in the second half, but I think he should be used a lot more like he was in the first half. He can make a huge impact as one of the few guards on this team.