WATCH: Iowa lifted to Big Ten Tournament Final by buzzer-beating three
The bank was open for Iowa, and the hearts of Indiana faithful are broken. With 1.1 seconds left on the clock, Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon banked in a game-winning three-point shot for to send Iowa to the Big Ten Tournament Final.
Bohannon has been with Iowa for some huge moments, but he may have just hit the biggest shot of his basketball career. In addition to his gigantic shot, the Iowa guard added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists to the victory.
“They were just doing a great job denying us the ball,” stated Bohannon, after hitting the shot. “Honestly, we were trying to get him the ball (Keegan Murray). But they did a phenomenal job late game on not letting him catch it. So, because of him I got a lot of open looks late.
“I kind of felt the bank was open after I hit that. It just felt good out my hand for whatever reason.”
Moreover, the heart and soul of the victory for the Hawkeyes was star forward Keegan Murray. He was unstoppable once again, scoring 32 points and pulling down nine rebounds. He continues to prove why he’s the favorite for the Big Ten Player of the Year.
“I had a feeling it was going to go it,” stated Murray, regarding Bohannon’s shot. “But you know, you got a little bit of doubt, so I went to go crash the rebound. He’s a big player, big time shot maker. It was his time.”
Now, Iowa is moving on to the finals of the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes await the victor of tonight’s showdown between Purdue and Michigan State.
“We had a lot of goals this year, this was one of them — to get here,” stated Murray, on how it feels to make the Big Ten Championship. “Guys have been here for awhile. We’re just trying to change the scene around the University of Iowa for basketball. We’re kind of doing that right now. Doing this for the people that come next. That’s a good feeling, for sure.”