CEDAR FALLS - Tony Freeman was supposed to play about 12 minutes Wednesday.

Iowa couldn't keep him off the McLeod Center floor.

The Hawkeye guard played 24 productive minutes, scoring 15 points and dishing out three assists as Iowa upended Northern Iowa, 62-55.

Freeman, who returned to action after missing Iowa's first nine games with a broken bone in his left foot, said he'll pay for it today, but being able to help his team win an intrastate game on the road was worth it.

It was uncertain if or how much Freeman would play Wednesday, although he had returned to practice Monday.

"It was more or less a game-time decision," said Freeman. "I tried to give my team the best shot I could. I think I went over my limit. I think I was supposed to go like 12 minutes."

Freeman suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during Iowa's exhibition win over Simpson College on Nov. 1. A surgical screw was inserted Nov. 2, and Freeman, a junior from Maywood, Ill., was expected to be out of action four to six weeks.

"About five minutes into the game," joked Iowa coach Todd Lickiter on when he decided Freeman was going to play. "We talked to him this afternoon, and we felt we could give him a few minutes.

"I told him, 'If you get out there and don't feel comfortable, I need to know and we won't do it … let's get out there and see how you feel,' and he didn't complain."

Freeman was a much-needed addition for the Hawkeyes, who were missing their only other true point guard - Jeff Peterson - who returned to Springfield, Mo., Monday to attend his grandfather's funeral.

Freeman entered the game for the first time at 12:22 and gave Iowa an immediate spark by hitting his first shot - a 3-pointer - 23 seconds later.

He scored 11 first-half points on 4 of 4 shooting in 11 minutes of action.

"Tony helped us out a lot … brought a lot of energy," said guard Justin Johnson, who scored 13 points.

Freeman scored four critical points down the stretch to help Iowa seal the game. He had a drive down the lane for a lay-up with 2:09 remaining to put the Hawkeyes up 58-51 and nailed a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left to push the lead to five, 60-55.

"He is their court general," said UNI center Eric Coleman. "Any time you get that guy back, the whole dynamic of your team is going to change, and it did with them."

Freeman said his game was sharper than expected.

"The only thing I don't have right now is my explosion and jumping ability," he said. "When I get those back, I should be in pretty decent shape."

Freeman's effort was part of a productive night by Iowa's backcourt, which also included Johnson and freshman Jake Kelly.

The Hawkeyes' backcourt scored 47 points, including a career-high 19 from Kelly.

Iowa drilled 10 of 17 3-point attempts.

"I know you have all mentioned Tony, and absolutely he was a lift for us," said Lickliter. "He is a skilled player and a guy who … I don't know if any of us had any misguided feelings that somehow we were going to be as good without him. We know we are going to be better with him.

"But he was one of many players that played well and played well together."

Iowa hit 22 of 44 shots, a season best, and tied a season-high with its 10 3-pointers.

The Hawkeyes also dominated boards, outrebounding the Panthers, 37 to 16, including 13 offensive boards.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com