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Did Minnesota Golden Gophers' Defensive Tenacity Overcome Iowa Hawkeyes' Second Half Push at Williams Arena?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers emerged victorious in a closely contested match against the Iowa Hawkeyes with a final score of 70-67. This win brings the Gophers to a record of 1-0, while the Hawkeyes start their season at 0-1.


Jan 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Langston Reynolds (6) works around Iowa Hawkeyes guard Isaia Howard (23) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams battling for dominance, with the Golden Gophers taking an early lead. Minnesota's defense was particularly effective, as they managed to secure 10 steals and limit Iowa to just 24 points by halftime. Langston Reynolds was instrumental in this period, contributing significantly with his scoring and defensive efforts.


Second Half


In the second half, Iowa attempted a comeback by scoring an impressive 43 points. However, Minnesota maintained their composure under pressure. Cade Tyson played a crucial role during this period by adding valuable points and assists that kept the team ahead. The Gophers' ability to draw fouls proved beneficial as they capitalized on free throws with a solid 75 percent success rate.


Jan 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Final Thoughts


The game concluded with Minnesota holding onto their lead despite multiple attempts from Iowa to close the gap. The Golden Gophers demonstrated resilience and strategic play throughout, which ultimately led them to victory over their ranked opponents.


Looking forward, fans can catch the next game where Minnesota will face USC Trojans at Williams Arena on January 9th at 8:30 PM EST. The game will be broadcasted on BTN.


Jan 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) works around Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Langston Reynolds (6) during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

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