Runnin' Utes Advance to NIT Quarterfinals with Win over Iowa

Utah comes out on top against Iowa in the Second Round of the NIT to advance to the Quarterfinals against VCU.

Iowa v Utah / Chris Gardner/GettyImages

The Second Round of the National Invitation Tournament is in the books, and the Runnin' Utes are moving on to the Quarterfinals after an incredible showing from Madsen and Smith propelled the team to victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Gabe Madsen’s career night & Deivon Smith’s triple-double carry Utah past Iowa to advance to the NIT quarterfinals! 🙌

Highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/s5Sf1pHlsa

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 25, 2024

For Utah, Gabe Madsen had himself a career night, going 9/19 from the field and 6/6 from the line for 31 points, leading the team in scoring. Meanwhile, Deivon Smith produced his fourth triple-double of the year, leading the Utes in rebounds, with 10, and assists, dishing out 10 dimes, while also garnering 19 points in 31 minutes of play.

For Iowa, star forward Patrick McCaffery finished the game as the top scorer with 19 points, going 7/9 from the field, and 3/4 from the line. Owen Freeman was the Hawkeyes top rebounder and dime-disher, grabbing 7 boards, and distributing 4 assists in 34 minutes of play.

The shooting percentages were fairly level as Iowa shot at a 48.5% clip from the field, and 33.3% clip from beyond the arc, while Utah went 46.2% from the field, and 38.7% from range, but the Utes had the advantage on the glass, coming down with 43 rebounds to the Hawkeyes 36.

The 91-82 triumph has granted the Runnin' Utes passage to the NIT Quarterfinals, where they will face off against the VCU Rams at the Huntsman on Wednesday, March 27th for a chance to play at the Hinkle Fieldhouse against either Indiana State or Cincinnati.