Freddie Dilione V hit the game-winning free throws with 1.5 seconds remaining to give Penn State a 71-69 upset of Iowa in a Big Ten contest on Saturday in State College, Pa.
After Iowa tied the game with 8.6 seconds remaining on a driving layup by Bennett Stirtz, Penn State put the ball in Dilione’s hands and he tripped over a falling defender on his drive to the basket.
After Dilione made the two free throws, Iowa couldn’t get a shot off on the last possession.
Senior forward Josh Reed finished with a career-high 25 points, including 18 in a perfect second half as he went 6-for-6 from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 4-for-4 at the line. Dilione added 15 points for Penn State (12-17, 3-15).
Cooper Koch scored a career-high 18 points and Stirtz added 16 points for Iowa (20-9, 10-8), which suffered a big blow to its NCAA tournament resume with games against Michigan and Nebraska coming up. It marked Stirtz’ first game under 19 points since Jan. 11.
The game featured eight ties and 15 lead changes as momentum kept shifting in the second half.
Trailing 45-39 with 17:46 remaining, Penn State went on a 9-0 run to grab a 48-45 lead with 13:59 left on a 3-pointer by Kayden Mingo.
Iowa answered to take a 56-53 lead with 10:38 left, but Penn State went on a 7-0 surge to take a 60-56 lead with 8:07 remaining.
The Hawkeyes responded with a 9-0 surge to claim a 67-62 lead on Cam Manyawu’s dunk with 4:30 to play.
With 46.2 seconds remaining, Penn State took a 68-67 lead on Reed’s layup. Melih Tunca added a free throw with 19.1 seconds to go.
The first half was close throughout. Dilione’s basket gave Penn State a 30-27 lead with 4:51 left.
Penn State held a 34-33 lead with 1:44 left before Iowa ended the half by scoring five straight points to take a 38-34 lead at halftime.
