Coach Wright Postgame Radio Interview
IOWA CITY – Western Illinois was unable to overcome an early deficit Monday evening (Dec. 7) as the Iowa Hawkeyes handed WIU its second loss of the season, 90-56, inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Following the loss Western falls to 6-2 on the season while Iowa improves to 7-2 overall.
After Iowa, who bettered Western in nearly all statistical categories, outscored the Leathernecks 30-8 during the first 10 minutes of the game, WIU responded by cutting Iowa's lead to 15 with 3:30 remaining in the opening half. The Hawkeyes would quickly turn the tide again and take a 21-point advantage into the break, 53-32.
The second half was all Iowa as the Hawkeyes were able to build their lead up to as much as 39 points on their way to their seventh victory of the season, and fourth win in as many games.
Junior guard Garret Covington, who now sits seven points from becoming WIU's 23rd 1,000-Point Club member, led the Leathernecks with 12 points.
The only other Leatherneck to score in double figures was senior forward Tate Stensgaard who finished with 11 on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Stensgaard also grabbed team-high five rebounds. Junior Mike Mikluak and freshman Brandon Gilbeck also each grabbed five boards.
Jabari Sandifer, a junior guard, finished with a game-high eight assists while only turning the ball over once in 26 minutes. He also tallied six points, two rebounds and swiped a game-high three steals.
Iowa was led by Jarrod Uthoff who scored early and often, finishing with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field and making 4-of-5 attempts from downtown. He also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
Western looks to get back in the win column at home Saturday (Dec. 12) when they play host to Eastern Illinois for the backend of the home-and-home series at 2 p.m. inside Western Hall.
