Iowa City, Iowa — Payton Sandfort achieved a remarkable milestone, recording his first triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists to propel Iowa to a convincing 90-81 victory over Penn State on Tuesday night.
Sandfort, a junior standout, showcased his versatility by contributing across multiple categories, despite facing stiff opposition from Penn State. He displayed remarkable accuracy from the free-throw line, sinking 18 of 19 attempts, while also demonstrating defensive prowess with three blocked shots. Josh Dix provided ample support with 20 points, shooting an impressive 8-for-10 from the field, including two 3-pointers. Owen Freeman chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Tony Perkins contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists to bolster Iowa’s performance.
Penn State put up a valiant effort, with Qudus Wahab leading the charge with 18 points and seven rebounds. RayQuawndis Mitchell provided a spark off the bench, contributing 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting, along with five rebounds. Ace Baldwin Jr. also made significant contributions with 11 points and nine assists.
The first half saw Iowa establish a commanding lead, with Dix leading the charge with 18 points, including two timely 3-pointers. Despite Penn State’s efforts to narrow the deficit, Iowa maintained control, heading into halftime with a 47-39 advantage.
In the second half, Penn State mounted a comeback, closing the gap to just two points early on. However, Iowa responded emphatically, extending their lead to double digits once again. Despite Penn State’s best efforts to rally late in the game, Iowa’s lead proved insurmountable, securing the victory.
Overall, Iowa showcased impressive shooting efficiency, converting 47.2% of their field-goal attempts, along with a solid performance from beyond the arc, connecting on 50% of their 3-point attempts. Additionally, their proficiency from the free-throw line proved crucial, as they converted 32 of 37 attempts. In contrast, Penn State struggled with their shooting, particularly from long range, where they missed 13 of 17 attempts, as well as from the free-throw line, where they made just 13 of 23 attempts.
UP NEXT:
Looking ahead, Iowa will face Northwestern in their next matchup.
Penn State will take on Minnesota, both games scheduled for Saturday.
