Iowa Basketball Races Past Kansas State In First Round Of NIT

The Hawkeyes put on a dominant performance to advance to the second round.

From the tip-off, Iowa asserted its dominance over Kansas State. The Hawkeyes raced out to an early double-digit lead, led by Keegan Murray‘s efficient scoring. Murray poured in 15 points in the first half, showcasing his versatility with three-pointers, drives to the basket, and free throws.

Iowa’s defense was equally impressive, limiting Kansas State to just 30% shooting from the field. The Hawkeyes forced turnovers and disrupted the Wildcats’ offensive rhythm. By halftime, Iowa held a commanding 46-26 advantage.

After the break, Iowa continued to control the tempo. Jack Nunge stepped up to provide an offensive spark, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the second half. The Hawkeyes’ crisp ball movement and selfless play allowed them to maintain their lead.

Kansas State fought valiantly but was unable to overcome Iowa’s suffocating defense. The Hawks’ physicality and rebounding prowess proved too much to handle. As the final buzzer sounded, Iowa emerged victorious with a convincing 89-69 triumph.

Keegan Murray led the way for Iowa with a game-high 26 points, adding 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Jack Nunge provided a strong supporting cast with 13 points, while Jordan Bohannon and Tony Perkins contributed 11 points each.

For Kansas State, Mark Smith led the scoring with 21 points, but it was not enough to prevent the Wildcats from falling in the first round.

With the first-round victory, Iowa advances to the second round of the NIT, where they will face either Louisiana Tech or Georgia Southern. The Hawkeyes will be looking to continue their impressive run and make a deep postseason push.