High-scoring, late-night matchup brings Iowa men’s basketball a fifth-straight win

Iowa men’s basketball hasn’t faced Washington in Seattle since 1966, but another double-digit effort from Bennett Stirtz and Alvaro Folgueiras made sure to bring the Hawkeyes their fifth-straight win.

In a game where neither team lead by more than 10, the Hawkeyes ended their West Coast road trip with an 84-74 win over the Huskies. It’s Iowa’s second Quad 1 win of the season, and brings the Hawkeyes to match the total wins for the 2024-25 season.

Iowa had just four rebounds in the first half, but shot 60-percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes. Typically, that level of offensive efficiency would help cover up the lack of boards collected.

Except Washington shot 76-percent from the floor and blocked three shots. Iowa ended the game shooting 59-percent from the floor to Washington’s 56-percent.

Led by freshman Hannes Steinbach, the Huskies grew their lead up to nine in the first half. His teammate Zoom Diallo, recorded 10 assists and nine points in the first half, with Steinbach, Bryson Tucket and Wesley Yates III all recording double figures that first half.

Washington had five players finish in double figures, with Steinbach recording a double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Stirtz led Iowa with his fifth consecutive 20-plus-point performance, leading the Hawkeyes with 22 points — bringing him to a 54-point performance over the last two games. Folgueiras followed suit with another 16 points, while Cooper Koch and Tavion Banks each added 11 points.

All but one Hawkeye scored at least two points in the win over Washington. Banks, who was on record watch for consecutive made free throws, watched his streak end at 30-straight charity stripe points in the first half.

Washington had a seven-point halftime lead, but Iowa had out-scored the Huskies 43-26 in the second half to secure a West Coast sweep. The Hawkeyes return to Iowa City on Sunday to host Northwestern at 2 p.m.

Comments: madison.hricik@thegazette.com, sign up for my weekly newsletter, Hawk Off the Press, at thegazette.com/hawks.