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By JAMES ALLAN
hawkeyesports.com
DES MOINES, Iowa — Saturday’s Hy-Vee Classic matchup against Drake was just what the doctor ordered for the University of Iowa men’s basketball team.
The Hawkeyes played their best game of the season in a 90-64 rout of Drake at Wells Fargo Arena. Four Iowa players reached double figures with sophomore Tyler Cook leading the team with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting.
“It was the beset collective effort,” said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. “We haven’t put it together until today. For us to be able to play the way we did is a big step for us. Anything short of that and we have a hard time beating this team.”
The Hawkeyes led 40-33 at the half after shooting 50 percent from the field and forcing 11 Drake turnovers. Iowa ran away from the Bulldogs over the final 20 minutes, outscoring Drake, 50-31, in the second half.
Iowa, which led by as many as 28 points, shot 55.2 percent from the field despite making just 6-of-18 attempts from 3-point range. The Hawkeyes dominated on the glass, 41-24, and had 23 assists on 37 field goals.
Sophomore Jordan Bohannon scored 15 points and had seven assists, freshman Luka Garza had 13 points and seven rebounds, and junior Nicholas Baer added 11 to go along with 13 rebounds.
Nick McGlynn scored 14 points, making 7-of-8 field goals, to lead Drake.
A BAER AWAKENS
Junior Nicholas Baer had a Nicholas Baer-esque game against the Bulldogs.
“It was reminiscent of when we played them here two years ago,” said McCaffery. “He was the reason we won that game. When he is playing like that we’re a different team. We need that veteran leadership on the floor. He has been that way in practice. I have been impressed.”
The forward posted a double-double, finishing with 11 points and a career-best 14 rebounds. He also had five assists and five steals in 23 minutes.
PEMSL GUTS IT OUT
Sophomore Cordell Pemsl was iffy to play as of Wednesday. He practiced Thursday, but was questionable during Saturday’s shootaround. Pemsl, who missed Iowa’s last game after suffering a leg contusion at Iowa State, finished with six points and eight rebounds in 12 minutes.
“We called his number and he came through for us,” said McCaffery. “He is happy about that, he pushed himself and performed the way he is capable.”
OF NOTE
- Iowa’s height advantage gave the Bulldogs fits. The Hawkeyes outscored Drake, 52-26, in the paint.
- The Hawkeyes scored 25 points off 19 Drake turnovers and scored 19 points off 14 offensive rebounds.
- Records: Iowa (6-6); Drake (5-6)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Tuesday, hosting Southern Utah at 8 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
