Garza Passes Marble for #1 Scorer At Iowa
There was a Big Ten game to win on Sunday afternoon at Carver Hawkeye Arena. But there was also something larger lingering in the air. A record many thought to be unbreakable was about to be broken. Entering Sunday's game against Penn State, Iowa center Luka Garza needed just 14 points to pass Roy Marble atop the all time scoring list as a Hawkeye.
Garza would of course, break that record with 8:18 seconds left in the game, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. After hitting one of two free throws to tie Marble's scoring record, Garza scored the record setting basket where he is most comfortable. In the paint.
It sure was a shame that the pandemic prevented Carver Hawkeye Arena from being sold out. I'm guessing that the crowd reaction may have even stopped the game. But in 2021, after you break a school scoring record, you play on. The Gazette reports that Garza then went on a 10 point scoring run for the Hawkeyes as Iowa outlasted a scrappy Penn State team 74-68. Garza ended the game with 23 points.
It was Iowa's fourth straight win. The Hawkeyes improve to 17-6 overall, and 11-5 in Big Ten play. C.J. Fredrick has another nice game for Iowa, scoring 18 points as he returns to form after the lingering affects of that lower leg injury.
But the day belong to Luka Garza. Some are now wondering if he is the best Iowa basketball player of all time. Some great players have worn the black and gold over the years. Garza still has time to add to his resume. His number will be huge when his playing days are over at Iowa. Can he add a Final Four? A National Title?
Congratulations Luka!