By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The dunk and all of its glory always will have a place in basketball, but its impact on the game pales in comparison to the 3-point shot.

Those who witnessed Iowa’s 81-70 victory over Nebraska on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena saw just how influential and game-changing the 3-point shot can be, thanks mostly to freshman point guard Jordan Bohannon and sophomore shooting guard Brady Ellingson.

They combined for seven of Iowa’s nine 3-point baskets, including four by Bohannon, and that 18-point disadvantage was too much for the Cornhuskers to overcome.

Nebraska lost by double-figures despite having a 41-33 advantage on the boards and despite matching Iowa with 27 made baskets.

“The story of the game is Ellingson comes out and gets three threes and Bohannon gets four and they finished us off,” said Nebraska coach Tim Miles, who watched his depleted team lose for the seventh time in the last eight games. “When it was still a chance I think with four (minutes) whatever, we missed an open three to cut it two, and they didn’t miss their open threes.

“And that’s the difference in some games. I thought it was a very even game for a long time. I thought we did a lot of things right. But at the end of the day, Iowa finished us off late, and that’s what a good team does.”

Iowa finished off Nebraska without Peter Jok making a single trey in 30 minutes of playing time. The 6-foot-6 senior returned to starting lineup after missing the previous two games with a stiff back and found other ways to help than his usual productivity from 3-point range.

Jok grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists and made six consecutive free throws in the final 3 minutes and 31 seconds to help secure the victory. Jok turned down open shots on several occasions to pass to a teammate.

“I feel like he was great,” Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said of Jok, who finished with 12 points. “I am so proud of him.”

Jok was more than willing to pass the spotlight to his younger fellow sharpshooters.

Bohannon set a UI single-season record for most 3-pointers by a freshman with 54, while Ellingson continued his torrid shooting from 3-point range. The Sussex, Wis., native has made 27-of-48 3-point shots this season and has scored in double figures in two of the last three games.

Jok knows that he ultimately will benefit perhaps more than any player on the team if Bohannon and Ellignson keep making 3-pointers.

“Exactly, if they keep shooting like that,” Jok said. “I was off today. I was off rhythm. But once I get back into rhythm, we’re going to be dangerous.”

One of the questions heading into Sunday’s game was how would Jok’s return affect Iowa’s movement on offense? The Hawkeyes had combined for 45 assists on 62 baskets in the previous two games without Jok.

The trend continued on Sunday with Iowa assisting on 22 of its 27 baskets.

Bohannon led four Iowa players in double figures with 15 points, while freshman power forward Tyler Cook scored 13 points.

"We're tough to beat because we've got multiple guys who can shoot it and then guys that can score on the inside and guys who can do both," Cook said.

Ellingson shifted between shooting guard and point guard during Sunday’s game, more proof that his game is expanding and his confidence growing.

“I just know guys have been finding me, so I’ve been making more plays off the dribble and just trying to create shots for others,” said Ellingson, who in addition to scoring 11 points also had five assists, one steal and zero turnovers in 25 minutes off the bench.

Sunday’s game was a must-win for Iowa simply from the standpoint that Nebraska was playing short-handed without injured power forward Ed Morrow and was playing away from home.

Nebraska point guard Glynn Watson has been nursing a groin injury and didn’t start Sunday’s game. He did play, though, and immediately drew the ire of Hawkeye fans when he and Bohannon became entangled during a scramble for a loose ball in the first half.

"I just got back up and got through the rest of the game," Bohannon said.

Nebraska center Jordy Tshimanga also picked up his third foul with 12:33 left in the first half and didn’t play again until the second half.

So the victory was there for the taking, but Nebraska made it hard for Iowa to take it until the very end.

Jok made a short jumper on the baseline right before the halftime buzzer to give Iowa a 38-36 lead at halftime. Jok only attempted three shots in the first half and made two.

Ellingson made a 3-pointer to give Iowa a 61-57 lead with 8:07 remaining, but Nebraska guard Tai Webster answered with a basket, trimming the lead back to two points at 61-59.

Iowa then scored six consecutive points, expanding the lead to 67-59, but Nebraska responded with a 5-0 scoring run.

Iowa then answered back with an 8-2 scoring run before securing the victory by making 5-of-6 free throws in the closing seconds.

Iowa has won three Big Ten games in a row for the first time this season, improving to 14-10 overall and 6-5 in the conference.

Jok is also healthy again and he knows that his teammates can survive without him.

A season that just two weeks appeared to be spiraling in the wrong direction is now on the rise again.

Iowa isn’t a better team without Jok. But it’s fair to say the Hawkeyes got better without him.

And if they keep making 3-pointers like they did on Sunday, this season will only get better.