IOWA CITY, Iowa — In a strong performance Tuesday evening, Josh Dix contributed significantly to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ victory over South Dakota, scoring 23 points on an impressive 8-of-10 shooting, including 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. His scoring prowess was part of a collective effort where five Iowa players reached double-digit points, leading to a final score of 96-77.

Seydou Traore and Payton Sandfort each added 12 points for Iowa, while Ladji Dembele and Drew Thelwell chipped in with 11 points apiece. The Hawkeyes set the tone early when Dix hit a 3-pointer just two minutes into the game, shifting the momentum firmly in Iowa’s favor for the remainder of the match. The team showcased their shooting skills with 13 successful 3-pointers and an overall shooting percentage of 54%. Their second-half performance was particularly strong, boasting a remarkable 65% shooting rate, making 22 of 35 shots.

Kaleb Stewart was the standout for South Dakota, scoring 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting and making 4 of 10 from 3-point range. Isaac Bruns assisted in the scoring effort with 11 points. Despite Stewart’s efforts, the Coyotes found it difficult to close the gap after Iowa established a commanding lead.

A key moment in the game came when Dix hit two 3-pointers surrounding a shot from Dembele, setting up a 13-0 scoring run that included a additional 3-pointer from Sandfort and a dunk by Riley Mulvey. This surge pushed Iowa ahead 59-41 with 15:26 left in the contest, creating a double-digit lead that South Dakota could not overcome for the remainder of the game.