Video: Postgame after Tony Perkins late heroics give Hawkeyes 88-86 win over Badgers
By Dallas Jones
IOWA CITY, IOWA – The Iowa Hawkeyes (14-11, 6-8) played host to the Wisconsin Badgers (17-8, 9-5) Saturday afternoon, a great opportunity to earn themselves a quality win and build momentum as we approach March.
A sold out crowd in Carver-Hawkeye was treated to a high scoring affair between two midwest rivals.
The Hawkeyes came out with a win in what some may call a ‘must win’ game, here is how they did it.
1st half: Wisconsin came to play out of the jump as they started the game on a 17-6 run in the first four minutes of gameplay.
The Hawkeyes fought for most of the first half down double digits, but then at the six minutes mark a spark happened.
A lineup of Brock Harding, Josh Dix, the Sandfort brothers and Owen Freeman made five straight field goals and cut the lead down to just five.
The Hawkeyes are no stranger to comebacks though, as last time in Carver they came back from a 20 point second half deficit in their win over Minnesota.
While they trailed at the half, it seemed as though the Hawkeyes were the ones carrying momentum into the final 20 minutes.
2nd half: That notion reigned true as only two minutes into the half, the Hawkeyes took their first lead of the game 49-47.
Josh Dix and Tony Perkins led that second half charge, combining for 14 of the Hawkeyes first 18 points of the half on 7-9 shooting combined.
Another huge point in the game came at the 4:39 mark when Owen Freeman was hit with a technical foul. The Hawkeyes led 74-70, but Wisconsin’s Chucky Hepburn missed both technical free throws.
Wisconsin did not let that deter them as they finished a 9-0 run and tied the game at 74 a piece.
After a couple late buckets from each side, the Hawkeyes had the ball with a chance to win.
Iowa’s Tony Perkins would not be able to convert the layup this time, but he would soon get his revenge.
OT: Wisconsin grabbed control of overtime early, building a four point lead. The Hawkeyes responded, helped by Wisconsin’s Tyler Wahl fouling out and the Badgers finishing the game on an over three minute scoring drought to finish the game.
Iowa again had the ball in Tony Perkins hands at the end of the game. This time he made it count.
NEVER! SAY! NEVER!@Saucy___T x #Hawkeyes
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 17, 2024
Check out what Tony and others had to say postgame here:
