Iowa basketball: Hawkeyes win over Northwestern

Josh Dix hit a game-winning 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give Iowa an 80-79 victory over Northwestern in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams on Tuesday night.

After Ty Berry hit 1 of 2 at the free throw line with 5.8 seconds left to give Northwestern a 79-77 lead, Iowa made it past the midcourt line before calling a timeout with 0.8 seconds left . Brock Harding struggled to find an open teammate on the sideline before Dix got well beyond the 3-point arc and hit a fading 3-pointer.

Dix’s teammates ran to surround him at the other end in front of the Northwestern bench, and fans spilled onto the court cheering.

Dix finished the game with 22 points and Payton Sandfort had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Iowa (7-1). Owen Freeman added 16 points.

Brooks Barnhizer had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Northwestern (6-3). Berry added 20 points and Nick Martinelli scored 19.

Iowa opened the game with a 13-3 run and led until the 11:32 mark of the second half when Luke Hunger capped a 15-1 run to give Northwestern a 55-54 lead. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 17 points in the first half.

Northwestern rallied in the second half to take a 74-68 lead with 2:15 left.

Barnhizer was working down the clock before being fouled on a drive with 21.7 seconds left. He made two free throws to give Northwestern a 78-75 lead. Harding made a layup at the other end when he was fouled, but missed a free throw that would have tied the game.

Iowa plays at Michigan on Saturday. Northwestern hosts No. 19 Illinois on Friday.

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