AP FILE PHOTO - Iowa guard Josh Dix drives up court during the second half of a college basketball game against Wisconsin on Saturday in Iowa City. Dix scored a game-high 26 points on Wednesday night to help the Hawkeyes beat Rutgers 84-73 for the Hawkeyes’ first road win this season.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Josh Dix scored a game-high 26 points, Payton Sandfort added 20 and Iowa closed on an 8-0 run to beat Rutgers 84-73 on Wednesday night for its first Big Ten road victory this season in six attempts.

Iowa has beaten Rutgers eight times in the last nine matchups.

Pryce Sandfort made a driving layup with 52.9 seconds left to give Iowa a 78-73 lead and he deflected a pass at the other end, leading to two free throws by Payton Sandfort for a seven-point lead.

Dix added two more free throws and Brock Harding sealed it with a steal and fast-break layup.

Rutgers (12-13, 5-9) dropped below .500 for the first time this season.

Harding finished with 13 points and Pryce Sandfort chipped in 10 for Iowa (14-10, 5-8).

Ace Bailey and Jeremiah Williams each scored 13 points for Rutgers (12-13, 5-9). Tyson Acuff had 12, Dylan Harper, averaging 19.1 points per game, added 11 and Jamichael Davis 10.

Rutgers led 42-33 at halftime after five different players made a 3-pointer. The Scarlet Knights were 8 of 14 from distance, led by Tyson Acuff’s three makes.

Payton Sandfort made a 3-pointer with 10 minutes left in the first half for a 21-20 lead, but Iowa missed its next 14 shots from distance. The Hawkeyes made three of their next four to take a 56-53 lead on Dix’s make with 9:46 left.

Iowa stays on the road to play No. 25 Maryland on Sunday, when Rutgers plays at Oregon.

Iowa 84, Rutgers 73

IOWA (14-10) — Dembele 4-6 1-2 9, Pa.Sandfort 7-17 2-2 20, Traore 2-8 0-0 4, Dix 11-17 2-2 26, Harding 5-10 2-2 13, Pr.Sandfort 4-8 2-2 10, Brauns 1-1 0-0 2, Mulvey 0-0 0-0 0, Kingsbury 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 34-67 9-10 84.

RUTGERS (12-13) — Grant 1-4 0-0 2, Sommerville 1-4 0-0 2, Harper 4-8 3-4 11, Williams 6-9 0-0 13, Bailey 5-10 2-2 13, Martini 2-5 2-2 8, Acuff 4-8 0-0 12, Hayes 1-4 0-0 2, Derkack 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 4-6 0-0 10, Dortch 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 28-58 7-8 73.

Halftime–Rutgers 42-33. 3-Point Goals–Iowa 7-25 (Pa.Sandfort 4-11, Dix 2-6, Harding 1-3, Traore 0-2, Pr.Sandfort 0-3), Rutgers 10-25 (Acuff 4-8, Davis 2-3, Martini 2-4, Williams 1-1, Bailey 1-3, Grant 0-1, Hayes 0-2, Harper 0-3). Rebounds–Iowa 32 (Pa.Sandfort, Traore 6), Rutgers 25 (Williams 6). Assists–Iowa 18 (Harding 7), Rutgers 19 (Harper 5). Total Fouls–Iowa 15, Rutgers 17. A–8,000 (8,000).