Iowa Walks Away From Iowa State 98–84

It’s a Hawkeyes State in 2018

By Jack Brandsgard (jbrandsgard@hawkeyesmic.com) 12/07/18

IOWA CITY — The №18 Iowa Hawkeyes notched a 98–84 win over the Iowa State Cyclones in a chippy contest Thursday night.

There were two scuffles during the game and zero handshakes after.

“It was a spirited game from the beginning,” Fran McCaffery said. “That’s what you expect. … Wish it didn’t happen, but it’s competition.”

McCaffery vehemently defended his decision to walk off the court without shaking hands, saying it “was the smart thing to do.”

Iowa got boosts from Joe Wieskamp, who was questionable with an ankle injury, and Cordell Pemsl, who was ruled out for the season eight days ago. Pemsl provided energy and toughness off the bench en route to eight points and six rebounds.

“Big time. This was a game where we needed energy,” Pemsl said. “We couldn’t come out slow. They fans were into it and we needed to give them something to cheer for.”

Isaiah Moss did just that with 18 first-half points courtesy of a 3-point barrage. It was like he was shooting into a hula hoop as he walked into the halftime locker room with four 3s. It wasn’t even the best half he’s played as a Hawkeye.

“I saw him score 19 points in a minute thirty-seven,” McCaffery said, referencing Moss’ explosion last season against Minnesota. “That’s pretty good. … He’s got that in him. I just told him get your swag back. I’m really proud of him.”

Tyler Cook took the torch in the second half. The Cyclones had no answer for him as he bullied his way to game highs in points (26 on 12–16 FG) and rebounds (11).

He rocked the baby after scoring in the post against Talen Horton-Tucker in the first half, indicating that the freshman was too small for him, then told all 6-foot-10 of George Conditt IV that he couldn’t guard him. Could anybody on the Cyclones?

“No,” Cook said, smiling. “That’s not in a disrespectful way, but that’s my mindset going into every game.”

Cook also brought it defensively. He’s much more engaged on that end than he was last year.

On one possession in the fourth quarter, Cook moved his feet to corral Nick Weiler-Babb, who was forced to pass to Horton-Tucker. Connor McCaffery had already rotated over, and Nicholas Baer was planted under the hoop to block the shot.

Iowa got a run-out as a result and Baer converted a layup.

Baer finished with 14 points, 11 of which came in the second half, and seven rebounds. He was 4-of-5 from 3-point range, most of them coming at key times.

“I’ve always prided myself as a shooter, and once you see a few go in, you continue to hunt for your shot,” Baer said. “Connor and Jordan (Bohannon) have done a phenomenal job of finding me in transition and hitting me in my shot pocket when I’m open.”

McCaffery and Bohannon each tied for a game high with five assists. McCaffery scored all 12 of his points in the second Chalf, and his security with the ball was crucial down the stretch. He finished a game-best plus-15.

The Hawkeyes (7–2, 0–2 B1G) face Northern Iowa on December 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.