On Saturday, John Tonje scored an impressive 22 points, leading No. 21 Wisconsin to a remarkable comeback in the second half to secure a 74-63 Big Ten Conference road win over Iowa in Iowa City. Tonje’s impactful performance came late in the game, as he scored seven consecutive points to propel Wisconsin from a one-point deficit to a commanding 65-59 lead with 5:44 remaining. He then sealed the victory with two crucial free throws, extending the lead to 70-63 with just under two minutes left. John Blackwell’s jumper in the following possession further solidified Wisconsin’s nine-point advantage, ultimately sealing the season sweep.
In addition to Tonje’s stellar performance, Blackwell contributed 19 points for the Badgers (19-5, 9-4). The team showcased their sharpshooting skills, connecting on 12 of 35 attempts from beyond the arc and outrebounding Iowa 42-38. Notably, Wisconsin’s defense stepped up in the second half, limiting the explosive Hawkeyes to just 24 points on 29.6 percent shooting from the field (8-of-27).
For Iowa (13-10, 4-8), Pryce Sandfort provided a spark off the bench with 14 points. However, the team struggled to find their shooting rhythm, converting only 24 of 63 field goal attempts and falling short of their average points per game by 22. Josh Dix added 13 points, while Drew Thelwell chipped in with 11 points. Payton Sandfort, Iowa’s leading scorer in the absence of Owen Freeman (out for the season due to finger surgery), had a tough night, managing just seven points on 2-of-11 shooting in 34 minutes – nine points below his season average of 16.3.
The anticipation leading up to the game centered around whether Iowa could deliver a more competitive performance compared to their previous matchup on January 3 at Wisconsin, where they suffered a lopsided 116-85 defeat as the Badgers set a school record with 21 made 3-pointers. In the first half of this game, both teams remained evenly matched, with neither holding a lead greater than six points. Despite Wisconsin’s proficiency from beyond the arc, making 7-of-17 attempts in the first half, they struggled with turnovers, committing six, which Iowa capitalized on for nine points. Pryce Sandfort’s last-second jumper gave the Hawkeyes a slim 39-37 lead at halftime.
