By Dallas Jones

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Tonight was a game that called for a hero and the Hawkeyes got two. Josh Dix (31) and Payton Sandfort (30) led the Hawkeyes in what could’ve been considered a must win game Tuesday night. The Hawkeyes were beaten by the Wisconsin Badgers 116-85 last time out, so there is no better time to bounce back than against a rival.

Iowa came into tonights game having won nine of the last ten matchups in Iowa City, but when they saw themselves staring a 15 point deficit in the face in the second half, things didn’t look good. Thankfully, they got world class performances from two Hawkeyes who have been here before. Here is how it happened.

1st half: Josh Dix continued his stellar start to the season in this one as he put up 13 points in the first ten and a half minutes of gameplay. Dix is averaging 13.5 points this season on 54.8% from the field and 41.1% from three.

His contribution was huge in the first half as both Brock Harding and Payton Sandfort had their minutes shortened due to early foul trouble.

Another absence hurting the Hawks was Drew Thelwell. About halfway into the opening half, it was reported from the athletic department that Thelwell ‘tweaked’ a lower body injury in warmups and was questionable.

It was at this time in the game that Nebraska used Iowa’s short bench against the and sparked an 18-3 run over six minutes and took a 34-26 lead. During that run the Hawkeyes were held without a field goal for almost six minutes and committed three turnovers in that time.

A late three by Pryce Sandfort ended the half and the Hawkeyes trailed by just three at the break.

2nd half/OT: The second half brought more misfortune to the Hawkeyes as the Huskers started the half on a 13-5 run in the first 4:05 and saw a double digit deficit for the first time at 47-36.

The Cornhuskers pushed their lead to 15 at one point, until Josh Dix and Payton Sandfort made a couple of shots from deep and got the lead back down to five at the 8:30 mark. The Sandfort three point barrage continued as after Payton knocked down his fourth three of the game, Pryce made his third three and cut the lead to just 62-61 with 6:40 remaining.

Payton Sandfort continued his tear as he put up 27 second half points, including six threes. The last of those threes put Iowa up 74-70 with just over a minute to play.

After a couple of late baskets and free throws from both teams, Nebraska’s Brice Williams hit a three at the buzzer to send this game into overtime.

The Hawkeyes came out firing in the extra period, starting the extra time on a 7-0 run, five coming from Josh Dix. After that start, the Hawkeyes never led by less than five points and were carried on the shoulders of Josh Dix (31) and Payton Sandfort (30). The first pair of Hawkeye teammates to score 30 since Jordan Bohannon and Keegan Murray in 2022.

Check out what the duo had to say postgame as well as comments from both coaches postgame here: