Dec. 19, 2011
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — You know it’s a great night when the first postgame question to head coach Fran McCaffery is `What pleased you most?”
The University of Iowa men’s basketball team (7-5 overall) won for the second consecutive time on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday in devastating fashion, 105-64, against Central Arkansas (5-5).
The list of possible impressionable statistics for McCaffery to choose from included 64 points in the paint, 35 points off turnovers, 23 fast-break points, a season-high for points in a game and in a half (55), 55.3-percent shooting from the field and 53 total rebounds.
So, what was it, coach?
“Thirty-two assists on 42 field goals. I think that pleased me the most,” McCaffery said.
The Hawkeyes made 42-of-76 field goals and pulled down 15 more rebounds than the visiting Bears. Seventeen UI players saw the court, but none of them for more than 23 minutes.
Several Hawkeyes stood out, including point guard Roy Devyn Marble, who led all scorers with 19 points and forward Aaron White, who tacked on four points in the second half to finish with 17.
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“I thought (Marble) was absolutely fabulous,” McCaffery said. “He’s rebounding, he drove and found people, he scored, he hit jumpers. He just keeps getting better; proud of him.”
Marble, who made 9-of-10 free throws, added six assists and three rebounds. White had five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
“(White) is a really good player,” McCaffery said. “He knows how to play, he knows what we need him to do, he locks into the game plan. As long as he is feeling good, he impacts the game in a positive way pretty much every time we put him in.”
Bryce Cartwright continues his return to strength after suffering a hamstring injury 16 days ago against Brown. Against Central Arkansas, Cartwright played 17 minutes and handed out eight assists with three turnovers.
“I thought he had some great passes on the break and he handled the pressure well,” McCaffery said. “When he is making plays for other people we’re a more explosive and effective offensive team.”
Five Hawkeyes scored in double figures: Marble, White, Melsahn Basabe (14 and nine rebounds), Matt Gatens (11) and Eric May (10). Gabriel Olaseni logged nine minutes and scored eight points with three blocked shots.
“He’s really coming and he’s been doing it in practice,” McCaffery said. “How many players that big with that kind of reach play with that kind of energy level and speed and quickness?”
Iowa held Central Arkansas to 18.6-percent shooting in the second half (8-of-43) and scored as many points in the paint (64) as the Bears did in the game.
Iowa led by as many as 19 points in the first half and went into the break with 13-point cushion at 55-42. It is the most points the Hawkeyes scored in a half this season.
White scored 13 points in 14 minutes; Marble added 12 points (with six assists) and May had 10. The Hawkeyes made 20-of-34 field goals (58.8 percent), scoring 28 points in the paint and 22 off 11 Bear turnovers.
Reserve guard Dewan Clayborn kept Central Arkansas close by making all five of his 3-point field goal attempts for 15 points in 13 minutes.
The Hawkeyes remain at home Thursday to play Boise State with a 7:35 p.m. (CT) tip. The Broncos (9-3 overall) defeated Fresno State, 70-63, on Monday. The win improved their record in home games to 9-0. Boise State is winless in three road games this season.