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Leistikow: Making defense fun again, Hawkeyes toy with UNI in Hy-Vee Classic finale

Iowa center Luka Garza reacts after scoring 17 points in a 77-54 win against Northern Iowa in the Hy-Vee Classic. Chad Leistikow, Hawk Central

The series finale of the Hy-Vee Classic lacked the kind of scintillating action that would have folks clamoring for more lopsided matchups like this.

But for the 21st-ranked Hawkeyes, it was an oppressive thing of beauty.

Iowa played one of the best defensive halves in Fran McCaffery’s nine years here on the way to a dominating 77-54 victory against helpless Northern Iowa in front of a half-full Wells Fargo Arena.