Iowa defeats W Michigan 91-51
Iowa Crushes W Michigan in Dominant Statement Win
Iowa took center stage at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday night, and the Hawkeyes made it clear they are back to form with a convincing 91-51 victory over visiting Western Michigan.
The game was a statement win for the home team, as they controlled every aspect of play to leave no doubt about their superior talent. Iowa's dominant performance was a welcome change from recent struggles, and it marked a turning point in the season for the Hawkeyes.
Alvaro Folgueiras led the way with 13 points, but it was the team's collective effort that made the difference. The Hawkeyes' balanced attack featured six players in double figures, with Isaia Howard grabbing six rebounds and Bennett Stirtz dishing out six assists to complement his scoring.
The game began slowly, with Iowa taking an early lead and never looking back. At halftime, the home team led 52-16, a margin that ballooned to 40 points by the end of the contest. The Hawkeyes' defense stifled Western Michigan's offense, holding them to just 17 field goals on 57 attempts.
"Iowa's defense was excellent tonight," said Iowa coach. "They made it tough for W Michigan to get into a rhythm, and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes."
The Hawkeyes' offense, meanwhile, shot an efficient 67.8% from the field, with Folgueiras hitting 55.6% of his shots. The team's true shooting percentage was also impressive at 68.4%.
Western Michigan struggled to find its footing, committing 13 turnovers and shooting just 30% from the field. The Broncos' lone bright spot came in the form of Jalen Griffith, who contributed 11 points and five assists.
The game served as a reminder that Iowa is still a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten, even if it's taken some time for the team to find its footing. With this dominant win, the Hawkeyes have set themselves up for success down the stretch of the season.
Game Stats
Iowa (HOME) Game Stats:
* Field Goals: 33/59 (56.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 19/28 (67.9%)
* 3-Point FG: 14/31 (45.0%)
* Free Throws: 11/17 (65.0%)
Western Michigan (AWAY) Game Stats:
* Field Goals: 17/57 (30.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 11/33 (33.3%)
* 3-Point FG: 6/24 (25.0%)
* Free Throws: 11/22 (50.0%)
This victory marked a turning point for the Hawkeyes, and it's clear that they are back on track. With this win, Iowa has proven itself to be a legitimate contender in the Big Ten.