In a gripping contest that went down to the wire, the Iowa Hawkeyes triumphed over the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a final score of 95-90 in overtime on January 7, 2025. The game, held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, was marked by dramatic momentum shifts and showcased impressive performances from key players. Iowa managed to pull away in the final moments of the overtime period after a hard-fought 40 minutes of regulation that finished tied at 85-85.
Iowa’s senior guard, Tony Perotti, led the scoring with an impressive 28 points, securing his place as a team leader. Following closely was his teammate Jason Rivers, who contributed 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, marking a double-double that was crucial for the Hawkeyes’ chances.
On the other side, Nebraska’s standout player, Marcus Lee, did not go down without a fight, sinking 24 points along with 9 rebounds. Despite Nebraska having a solid performance throughout the game, including a pivotal run in the second half, they were unable to capitalize in key moments during overtime.
The atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena was electric, with a crowd of approximately 15,000 fans creating a vibrant backdrop for this Big Ten clash. Early in the match, Iowa raced to an early lead, leading 47-39 at halftime. However, Nebraska fought back, showcasing a defensive resilience that kept them in the game.
The game included a dramatic sequence where Nebraska surged back to tie the game at 85-85 late in regulation, forcing overtime due to their tenacity. However, the experience and depth of the Iowa bench proved decisive in the overtime as they outscored Nebraska 10-5.
After the game, Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery expressed pride in his team’s effort, stating, ‘Our guys showed tremendous heart, battling through adversity and staying focused under pressure. Overtime games are tough, and I’m proud of how we executed down the stretch.’
Conversely, Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg noted the challenges faced by his squad, mentioning, ‘We had our chances, but we need to learn how to close games out. This is a learning experience for our group moving forward.’
This victory improves Iowa’s season record to 12-4 while Nebraska falls to 9-7. The teams will look to build on this game as they move deeper into the Big Ten schedule.
