Hawkeyes win first-round NIT clash with Kansas State at Carver, 91-82

IOWA CITY — Seventeen teams reportedly declined spots in the National Invitation Tournament. Iowa was happy to get its spot in the event, and was delighted with its Tuesday result.

After never leading against Illinois and Ohio State in double-digit losses leading into the NIT, the Hawkeyes never trailed in defeating Kansas State 91-82 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The crowd of just 4,532 actually was a boon to the Hawkeyes.

“They were loud, they were engaged, they were into the game,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said about the fans, “and it clearly made a difference with our energy level.”

Iowa (19-14) proceeds to a weekend second-round game against Utah in Salt Lake City. Utah (20-14) defeated UC Irvine 84-75 Tuesday, and will host the Hawkeyes at a date and time to be determined.

It’s unknown how many times Iowa has had two players score over 20 points in a half of the same game, but it happened in this one. Junior forward Payton Sandfort had 22 of his career-high 30 points in the first half, and senior forward Ben Krikke totaled 21 of his 24 points in the second.

Sandfort made 7 of 11 three-pointers. He also had 12 rebounds.

“He was like at the top of the scouting report,” Kansas State Coach Jerome Tang said. “We had a big picture of him.

“In fact, our coach that did the scout referred to him as their Caitlin Clark. I don’t know that he could have given a better description.”

Sandfort shot Iowa to an 22-12 lead, scoring 14 points in the first seven minutes and making all four of his 3-pointers. The Hawkeyes’ advantage ranged from seven to 13 points the rest of the half, and the half ended with Iowa up 50-39 behind 22 points from Sandfort.

The Wildcats (19-15) focused their defense on Sandfort in the second half. They went on a 10-0 run in the first 2:35 of the second half to pull within 52-49, but Iowa pushed its lead back up to 69-56 after a 9-0 run capped by a Ladji Dembele 3-pointer.

  Buy Photo

Another mood swing was soon to follow as Iowa went 3:39 without a point and K-State eventually closed within 74-70. A 7-0 Hawkeyes run followed. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Krikke and Sandfort gave Iowa breathing room.

Krikke took advantage of the Wildcats’ defensive focus on Sandfort. He had 11 rebounds and four assists to go with his highest scoring output in two months.

“I couldn’t be happier,” fifth-year senior Krikke said. “My career gets a little more time.”

For those thinking playing in the NIT was a chore rather than something to cherish, both teams competed with spirit.

“I had a blast,” Sandfort said. “I think it looked like it, too.

“I don’t know why you’d want to end the season early. I got to play with my brothers again and played in front of an amazing crowd. It wasn’t big, but everybody there seemed like they were having fun.”

The Hawkeyes shot 30 free throws to the Wildcats’ 16. Tony Perkins had eight assists for Iowa.

It was the Hawkeyes’ first win in a postseason event since they beat Grand Canyon in the first round of the 2021 NCAA tourney.

“The energy level was there,” McCaffery said. “The maturity was there, the focus and concentration was there, the respect for the other team was there, and that’s what you have to have.”

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com