HawkeyeSports.com — SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Top-ranked Gonzaga upended the third-ranked University of Iowa men’s basketball team, 99-88, on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the country’s top teams at the Sanford Pentagon. Iowa (6-1) drops its first contest of the season, while the Zags (4-0) remain unbeaten.
Two of the country’s top players delivered in the spotlight as Iowa senior Luka Garza registered team bests in scoring (30) and rebounding (10), while Gonzaga freshman Jalen Suggs tallied 27 points, bolstered by 7-of-10 (.700) shooting from beyond the arc.
Garza and Wieskamp combined for 50 of Iowa’s 88 points. Wieskamp equaled a season high with 20 points, netting 15 in the second half. Garza eclipsed 30 points for the fourth time of seven games this season and ninth time in his career.
Iowa, who trailed at halftime for the first time this season (51-37), mounted a late second-half comeback but ultimately fell short. Joe Toussaint provided a spark off the bench, scoring 12 of his season-high 14 points in the second stanza.
After allowing 10 triples in the first half, the Hawkeyes held the Zags to 3-of-10 (.300) from 3-point territory over the final 20 minutes.
Gonzaga was able to separate from the Hawkeyes in the first half by way of the long ball, making eight more 3-pointers than Iowa. The Zags shot a blistering 10-of-15 (.667), while Iowa was 2-of-10 (.200) from behind the 3-point arc in the first stanza. Gonzaga entered Saturday’s contest averaging five 3-pointers per game.
The Hawkeyes missed 12 free throws (14-of-26) and shot a season-low 4-of-22 (.182) from 3-point range. The Zags controlled the glass, pulling down 12 more rebounds than the Hawkeyes (49-37).
Drew Timme (15), Corey Kispert (13), Andrew Newbhard (13), Joel Ayayi (11) joined Suggs in double figures for Gonzaga.
The Hawkeyes will return home to host Purdue in Iowa’s conference opener on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
