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Iowa Gets Another Road Win, 64-62 Over Minnesota

Sports

January 5th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — For the first time in five seasons, Iowa has back-to-back Big Ten victories on the road. The Hawkeyes were determined and poised enough to overcome an 11-point deficit at Minnesota late in the first half and even endure six straight missed free throws in the final 40 seconds. The Gophers simply lost their way — and their confidence. Matt Gatens had 19 points, six rebounds and three steals to lead Iowa’s second-half surge past Minnesota for a 64-62 win on Wednesday night. Maverick Ahanmisi’s runner from the edge of the lane in traffic bounced off the other side of the rim as the buzzer sounded, giving the Hawkeyes (10-6, 2-1) their first win over their border-state rival in five years. Fueled by a head-turning victory at then-No. 11 Wisconsin last weekend, the Hawkeyes hounded the Gophers into 4 for 23 shooting from 3-point range and forced 6-foot-11 center Ralph Sampson III into six turnovers. Up next for Iowa is a home game against No. 6 Ohio State, then a trip to No. 10 Michigan State, followed by a visit from No. 16 Michigan.