CHICAGO – Iowa jumped out top an 11-0 lead Thursday night against Northwestern in a Big Ten Tournament opening round game and cruised to a 73-59 win.
Iowa improves to 6-0 all-time as the #6 seed and 2-0 against Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament. Iowa has now won back-to-back opening round games.
Head coach Fran McCaffery tallied his 50th victory at Iowa.
Iowa has won seven of its last nine Big Ten games.
Junior Melsahn Basabe posted his second straight double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He also added five blocks.
The Hawkeyes pulled down 48 total rebounds, which ties Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament high mark. Iowa also pulled down 48 rebounds in the conference tournament against Penn State in 2001.
Iowa had eight blocks, its second highest mark in the Big Ten Tournament ever.
Junior Roy Devyn Marble scored 19 points to lead Iowa in scoring.
Freshman Mike Gesell scored 13 games in his first game back since injuries his ankle against Nebraska.
The Hawkeyes advance to meet third-seeded Michigan State tomorrow in the quarterfinals. Tip-off from the United Center will be at approximately 8 p.m. (CT).
