Hawkeyes Down Xavier, 81-62

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s basketball defeated Xavier, 81–62, on Friday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes shot 57 percent from the field as they moved to 3-0 on the season.

After battling to a 15-all tie over the first eight minutes, the Hawkeyes broke the game open late in the first half. With the Musketeers struggling to handle Iowa’s pace, the Hawkeyes closed the period on an 18–4 run to take a 45–29 advantage into halftime.

Iowa forced nine first-half turnovers, converting them into 12 points, and shot 62.5 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

In the second half, Iowa maintained complete control. The Hawkeyes extended the lead to as many as 22, continuing to dominate inside. Iowa finished with a 50–26 edge in paint points, out-rebounded Xavier, 41-24, and held the Musketeers to 39 percent shooting.

Senior Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a complete 40-minute effort. Senior Tavion Banks added 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Junior Cam Manyawu nearly posted a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Junior Kael Combs contributed 11 points, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, while adding four assists.

GAME NOTES

• Iowa moved to 3-0 with an 81-62 victory over Big East Conference foe Xavier on Friday night inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
• The Hawkeyes had three players finish in double figures: Bennett Stirtz (21), Tavion Banks (13) and Kael Combs (11).
• Stirtz posted his second straight 20-point game, finishing with 21 points 7-of-13 field goals and went 7-of-8 from the free throw line.  He also had a season-high eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. 
  • It was Stirtz’s 35th career 20-point contest. 
  • He is the only Hawkeye to be in double figures in all three games this season.
  • Stirtz played all 40 minutes for the second time this season and 43rd time in his career.
• Banks finished with 13 points and five rebounds.  He has been in double figures in two of Iowa’s three games.
• Combs scored a season-high 11 points, making 2-of-5 field goals and all seven free throws.
  • Combs’ seven free throws made and attempted were a career-high.
  • He also finished with four rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes.
• Junior Cam Manyawu just missed a double-double, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.
• Iowa shot a 56.9 percent from the field.  The Hawkeyes have shot better than 50 percent in all three games this season.
  • The Hawkeyes scored 50 of their 81 points in the paint.
• The Hawkeye reserves finished with 34 points in the win.
  • Iowa’s bench has scored 100 points in three games.
• Iowa went 20-of-27 from the free throw line.
  • The Hawkeyes have made 20+ free throws in two of their three games.
• The Hawkeyes won the rebounding battle, 41-24 – the team’s largest margin of the season.
• The Hawkeyes led 45-29 at the break after shooting 62.5 percent (15-of-24). 
• Xavier missed its final six shots of the first half and nine of its last 11, shooting 40 percent in half one.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Tuesday, hosting Southeast Missouri State at 7:30 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court.  Tickets are available at hawkeyesports.com.