IOWA CITY – Iowa built a 20 point second half lead over Nebraska before allowing the Cornhuskers to get back in the game, but hung on for a 67-57 victory in the conference opener for both teams.
Three Hawkeyes scored in double figures. They include Devyn Marble (15), Aaron White (13), and Jarrod Uthoff (11). Marble moved to No. 16 on Iowa’s all-time scoring list (1,834 points).
Four different Hawkeyes recorded 5 or more rebounds. They include Marble (8), White (7), Melsahn Basabe (7), and Gabe Olaseni (5).
Terran Peteway lead Nebraska with 20 points.
Iowa lead by 20 points with 8:16 remaining in the game before Nebraska pulled to within 5 points with 1:48 remaining.
“It all started when we go up 20,” Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said after the game. “We don’t get the rebound, and they hit the three. Then we turn it over and foul. So in 38 seconds we gave five points of our lead back. Now we’re getting fouled, we’re making one, and Petteway in that situation is really good. Petteway and Biggs are both really good in that situation.”
A timeout allowed Iowa to re-group and put the game away.
“Obviously, we didn’t play a perfect game, but played well enough to win,” McCaffery said.
Nebraska stayed close to Iowa in the game due partly to Iowa’s poor free throw shooting, connecting on just 22 out of 39 attempts. Nebraska was also aided by 17 offensive rebounds.
“We make free throws and it’s an easier victory, obviously,” Coach McCaffery admitted.
Iowa improves to 12-2 on the season and 1-0 in Big Ten Conference play.
