Kam Woods Shines with 33 Points, But Iowa Holds On with Crucial Free Throws to Beat USC
IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a nail-biting finish, Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points, including two crucial free throws with just 4.6 seconds left, propelling Iowa to a 73-72 victory over USC on Wednesday night.
The Hawkeyes (15-5, 5-4 Big Ten) initially held a commanding lead, stretching it to as much as 17 points in the second half. However, a late rally by the Trojans turned the tide, putting them ahead by a point with only eight seconds remaining. Stirtz drew a foul from USC’s Jerry Easter II, successfully converting both free throws to reclaim the lead for Iowa.
Tavion Banks also made a significant contribution for the Hawkeyes, matching Stirtz’s 20 points before fouling out with just over three minutes left in the game.
Iowa’s dominance was evident early in the second half, where a 20-4 run established their double-digit advantage. Yet, Kam Woods ignited USC’s offense, orchestrating a solo 12-0 run that brought the Trojans back into contention. Woods scored an impressive 19 consecutive points for USC and finished the game with 33 points on 12-of-17 shooting, having played the full 40 minutes. Notably, this performance marked a significant leap for Woods, whose previous season high had been just eight points.
USC took a narrow lead into halftime, 28-27, thanks in part to Chad Baker-Mazara, who netted 11 of his 13 points during the first half. For Iowa, Alvaro Folgueiras contributed 14 points and five rebounds, along with Kael Combs, who led the team with four assists.
This game not only showcased individual talents but also highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball, leaving both teams pondering their paths forward this season.
