February 28, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Freddie Diglione V (5) attempts a 3-pointer while Iowa Hawkeyes guard Brendan Hausen (15) defends in the first half at the Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Image Freddie Dilione V hit a free throw with 1.5 seconds remaining to give Penn State a 71-69 victory over Iowa in a Big Ten contest Saturday at State College, Pa.
After Iowa tied the score with 8.6 seconds left on Bennett Stirtz’s driving layup, Penn State put the ball in Dilione’s hands and he was tripped by a falling defender on his drive to the basket.
After Dilione attempted two free throws, Iowa had no chance on its final possession.
Senior forward Josh Reed scored a career-high 25 points, including 18 in a perfect second half, while going 6-for-6 from the field, 2-for-4 from 3-point range and 4-for-4 from the line. Diglione added 15 points for Penn State (12-17, 3-15).
Cooper Koch scored a career-high 18 points and Stirtz added 16 for Iowa (20-9, 10-8), which suffered a major blow to its NCAA Tournament restart ahead of games against Michigan and Nebraska. This was Stirtz’s first game with fewer than 19 points since Jan. 11.
The game featured eight ties and 15 lead changes as the momentum continued to shift in the second half.
Trailing 45-39 with 17:46 remaining, Penn State went on a 9-0 run to take a 48-45 lead on Kayden Mingo’s 3-pointer with 13:59 left.
Iowa took a 56-53 lead with 10:38 left, but Penn State went on a 7-0 run to take a 60-56 lead with 8:07 left.
The Hawkeyes responded with a 9-0 surge to take a 67-62 lead on Cam Manyawu’s dunk with 4 1/2 minutes left.
With 46.2 seconds left, Penn State took a 68-67 lead on Reed’s layup. Melih Tunca added a free throw with 19.1 seconds left.
The first half was tense 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, and Iowa scored five straight points in the first half to take a 38-34 lead at halftime.
–Field level media
