COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team fell to Maryland, 77-70, on Wednesday night ending its six-game win streak. The Hawkeyes moved to 18-6 on the season and 8-5 in conference play.
Trailing early to start the game, the Hawkeyes used a 7-0 run making three-straight field goals to take their first lead of the game, 9-6. Over the next 10 minutes, both teams would exchange leads and ties as neither team was able to grow its lead over three. The Terrapins closed the half on a 10-5 spurt as they built a five-point halftime lead. After 20 minutes, the Hawkeyes trailed Maryland, 37-32.
Senior Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 13 points shooting 5-of-7 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Senior Tavion Banks added eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in the opening half. The Hawkeyes shot 12-of-28 (42.9 percent) from the field, 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range, and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. Iowa made just 1-of-8 field goal attempts to end the half.
Facing their largest deficit of the game, 39-32, a couple minutes into the second half, the Hawkeyes battled back with a 3-pointer from Stirtz tying the game, 45-45. Senior Brendan Hausen then connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to give Iowa, at the 11-minute mark, its first lead since the 4-minute mark of the first half.
The Hawkeyes were holding onto a two-point lead before Maryland responded with an 8-0 run to take a 62-56 lead with six-and-a-half minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes were unable regain the lead as they suffered its first defeat in seven games.
Stirtz led all scorers with 32 points and six assists. The Liberty, Mo. native shot 13-of-21 from the field and 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. Banks added 13 points and eight rebounds, shooting 4-of-8 from the field. Iowa shot 25-of-59 (42.4 percent) from the field and 7-of-28 from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes converted 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) from the free throw line.
