Lackluster second-half defense dooms Iowa

IOWA CITY - Nebraska scored on 17 of its final 19 possessions to score a 79-73 come-from-behind win against Iowa tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes led by as many as 11 points in the first half, the second straight game Iowa has led in double digits only to falter in the second half.

The win was Nebraska's first road victory as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Nebraska's Brandon Richardson scored 25 points to lead all scorers. Iowa's Zach McCabe led the Hawkeyes with 20 before fouling out.

Nebraska improves to 12-10 overall (3-6 Big Ten). Iowa falls to 11-10 (3-5 Big Ten).

FIRST-HALF RECAP

Zach McCabe has scored 13 points to lead Iowa to a 38-31 halftime lead against Nebraska tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

McCabe, a sophomore from Sioux City, has hit 6-of-8 shots from the field, including one 3-pointer, and has grabbed five rebounds for the Hawkeyes. He also has two steals, a block and an assist.

Paced by a 12-1 run, Iowa took a 31-20 advantage with 6:20 left in the half. Nebraska Coach Doc Sadler called timeout, and the Cornhuskers regrouped. Nebraska then put together an 11-2 run to cut its deficit to 33-31 with 2:10 left in the ahlf.

Iowa (11-9, 3-4 Big Ten) rallied with a pair of baskets. Matt Gatens drilled a 3-pointer to push the Hawkeyes lead to five points. On Iowa's next possession, McCabe missed a jumper, but Iowa freshman Aaron White scooped the rebound and scored on the second-chance opportunity.

Iowa has outscored Nebraska 10-2 off turnovers and 12-3 in bench points. White and Gatens each have scored seven points, while Brandon Richardson leads Nebraska (11-10, 2-6 Big Ten) with 10.

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