IOWA CITY, Iowa – Scoring came early and often as the University of Iowa men’s basketball team dominated Nebraska, 98-75, on Sunday afternoon on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The Hawkeyes took control early, establishing a 28-point lead heading into halftime. Sophomore Keegan Murray went into the locker room with 24 points, and he didn’t slow down from there.
The Big Ten’s leading scorer netted a career-high 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting from the field. Murray drained three triples and hauled in six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks to cap off the elite performance.
Murray credits his teammates.
“Our spacing has been better and we are sharing the ball, which has led to better offensive production these last few games,” said Murray. “For Coach Hoiberg to say I’m the most versatile player in the Big Ten means a lot. I have a lot of respect for him.”
Iowa shot 51 percent (39-of-76) from the field and out-rebounded the Huskers, 41-35. The Hawkeyes won the points off turnovers battle, 24-9, and outscored Nebraska 21-8 in transition.
Freshman Payton Sandfort and sophomore Kris Murray were Iowa’s next leading scorers with 12 points apiece. Sandfort provided a spark early with 10 of his points coming in the first half. He finished 5-of-8 from the field with eight rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers on the day.
The Iowa defense came up with 10 steals and four blocks while holding Nebraska to a 28 percent (27-of-62) field goal percentage. Iowa’s 58-point first-half marked its third consecutive half of 50 points or more.
The Hawkeyes improve to 7-6 in Big Ten play and 17-7 on the season.
QUOTING HEAD COACH FRAN MCCAFFERY
“Keegan has a complete skill set. He quietly killing his opponent and he never lets up. He scores everywhere on the floor. No matter where he goes he is equally effective.”
NOTABLES
- Today’s victory was Iowa’s third straight over Nebraska in the series and ninth consecutive over the Huskers inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
- Iowa’s 98 points are the second most by either team in the 36-game series history (102 by Iowa in 2021).
- The Hawkeyes have scored 90+ points against the Huskers in five of the last six contests, dating back to 2019.
- Keegan Murray netted 24 of his game and career-high 37 points in the first half. The 37 points are the third highest total by any men’s basketball player in Carver-Hawkeye Arena history (45 by Brian Quinnett of Washington State in 1986; 41 by Iowa’s Luka Garza in 2020).
- Sophomore Keegan Murray has tallied 30+ points four times, the most by any underclassman in a single season in program history. Murray has scored 20+ points a team-best 16 times and 25+ an NCAA-best 11 times this season.
- Keegan Murray scored a combined 67 points in two games this weeks (30 at Maryland; 37 vs. Nebraska).
- Iowa outrebounded Nebraska, 41-35, improving to 14-0 when outrebounding its opponent this season.
- The Hawkeyes shot 51 percent from the field (39-of-76) and improved to 9-0 when shooting 50 percent or better from the field.
- Iowa improved to 13-2 at home this season.
- Payton Sandfort netted 12 points, the most points by the true freshman in a Big Ten game.
- The Hawkeyes have scored 50+ points in the first half each of the last two games (57 at Maryland; 53 vs. Nebraska).
- Iowa posted 15-0 and 11-0 scoring surges in the half, marking the 18th and 19th times the Hawkeyes recorded scoring runs of 10-0 or better this season.
UP NEXT
Iowa (17-7, 7-6) remains home on Thursday hosting Michigan (13-10, 7-6). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:01 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. Tickets are available for purchase at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.