Game story from Dec. 13, 1986 (victory over Drake)
Dec. 13, 1986
Hawks’ press, rebounding aid 69-62 victory
By RICK BROWN
Register Staff Writer
Iowa’s vaunted press and dominance on the boards enabled the nation’s fourth-ranked basketball team to rally past Drake Saturday night in Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
The Hawkeyes outrebounded their eight straight foe, 3924, a figure that shined into Drake Coach Gary Garner’s eyes brighter than the final score of 69-62.
“We did not do a good job of handling their press, but I felt like the rebounding was much more important,” said Garner. “That’s because we did a very good job of half-court defense. Just a great job. But when the ball went up, we couldn’t get it back.”
Iowa assistant coach Bruce Pearl said, “That was the best man-to-man defensive pressure we’ve faced all year. We knew going into the game that this was a team that could outwork us.”
“We were concerned that this would become a half-court game if they were able to control the tempo. We knew our defensive pressure would be important.”
Drake’s Goals
Drake entered the game knowing it had do five things. They were in order of importance: rebounding, stopping the fast break, attacking the press and scoring, handling the ball and running the offense, and not fouling.
The Bulldogs did a decent job against the fast break, holding a team averaging 93.9 points 17 under their previous season-low of 86 against Brigham Young.
But Iowa did get some crucial baskets off the fast break late in the game. Rebounding was the reason why.
“It seemed like down the stretch, we got every key rebound,” said Iowa’s Brad Lohaus., who had eight of them and has led Iowa on the boards this year.
Drake Has 14 Turnovers
But the Hawkeyes’ press was a vital factor in the outcome of the game, especially in the first half. That’s when 10 of Drake’s 14 turnovers occurred.
Iowa’s trapping press, with the 7-foot Lohaus guarding the man taking the ball out-of-bounds, enabled it to rally from a 15-2 deficit in rapid order.
When you’re 6-4, like I am, it’s tough seeing around a 7-footer,” said Drake’s David Miller, who had 24 points and was usually the man taking the ball out-of-bounds. “You can’t look over the top, you have to look around him. And whenever we got the ball in, they were at the right place at the right time.”
Use Press Early
With the score 15-2, the press was instituted. Pearl also credited Coach Tom Davis’ calm approach in a moment of panic for getting the game turned around.
Even though we got down, we did a great job of hanging in there,” said Pearl. “That’s because the players have so much confidence in Tom. They were rattled, but he settled them down.”
“Coach does a great job because he doesn’t panic when we get down,” added forward Marble.
Davis said his calm, collected appearance on the bench is a mirage.
“I try to be calm on the outside but inside I’m churning,” Davis said. “It didn’t surprise me that they were behind, because we knew going in that they were good.”
Marble scores 19
Marble, who celebrated his 20th birthday by scoring 19 points and breaking his nose, said Iowa’s comeback from a late 14-point deficit against North Carolina State in the Great Alaska Shootout helped the Hawkeyes confidence when they fell behind again.
Saturday’s loss was the third tough one for Drake. First it was a 65-51 loss at Iowa State, then a 63-59 loss at Missouri. Now the defeat at the hands of the Hawkeyes. A victory would heal a lot of wounds. The next test is at home Thursday against Southern.
IOWA (69) — Marble 7-11 5-6 19, Lohaus 2-5 1-2 5, Horton 3-9 0-0 6, Armstrong 5-11 4-5 14, Gamble 5-10 3-4 13, Jones 0-3 0-0 0, Moe 3-7 1-1 8, Hill 0-0 2-2 2, Lorenzen 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 26-57 16-20 69.
DRAKE (62) — Morgan 4-11 0-1 8, Dahlke 2-7 2-2 7, Friedrick 1-3 2-2 4, Miller 9-18 0-1 24, Martin 5-9 0-0 12, Wright 0-0 0-0 0, James 2-6 2-2 7, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-54 6-8 62.
Halftime—Iowa 30, Drake 27. Fouled Out—Morgan. Rebounds—Iowa 39 (Horton 10), Drake 24 (Morgan 8). Assists—Iowa 8 (Armstrong 4), Drake 9 (Miller 3). Total Fouls—Iowa 13, Drake 17. Technicals—None. Attendance—12,175.
