IOWA CITY – Iowa dropped a home Big Ten contest to Illinois, 87-83.
Monday was just Iowa’s third home loss in 23 games, dating back to the start of last season.
The country’s leading scorer, Keegan Murray, returned to the lineup tonight after missing Iowa’s last game at Purdue (ankle). Murray netted 17 of his team-best 19 points over the final 19 minutes, including a stretch of 12 straight points.
Iowa, who ranks fourth in the country in fewest turnovers per game, committed just four turnovers tonight, equaling a season low (Virginia).
The Hawkeyes scored 26 points following 18 Illinois turnovers.
Tony Perkins scored 13 of his personal-best 16 points in the first half. The sophomore guard has reached double figures in scoring five of the last seven contests.
The Hawkeyes had a game-best 14-0 scoring run in the first half. Iowa has had scoring runs of 10-0 or more a combined 12 times in nine games.
Iowa (7-1, 0-1) returns to action on Thursday in an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series contest against No. 17 Iowa State (8-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT) at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
