IOWA CITY – The Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team won its 14th straight home opener Monday night in defeating Texas A&M-Commerce, 89-67.
Payton Sandfort stuffed the stat sheet tonight inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena, posting his seventh career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to go along with seven assists, three blocks and a steal.
A 15-1 scoring spurt over a span of 3:06 midway through the second half, which included 13 straight points, enabled the Hawkeyes to build a double-digit cushion.
Iowa’s defense forced 22 turnovers and collected 13 steals.
Five Hawkeyes netted double figures: Payton Sandfort (20), Owen Freeman (15), Pryce Sandfort (13), Josh Dix (10), Drew Thelwell (10). Two Hawkeyes dished out six assists or more: Payton Sandfort (7) and Brock Harding (6). The Sandfort brothers combined for seven of Iowa’s 10 3-pointers (Payton, 4 | Pryce, 3).
Iowa was credited with assists on 12 of its 14 first-half field goals. For the game, Iowa tallied 23 assists.
Iowa outscored the Lions, 15-2, at the free throw line.
The Hawkeyes have won 90 of their last 96 nonconference home games, dating back to 2012.
The Hawkeyes return to action Thursday, hosting Southern at 7 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the second game of the Kenny Arnold Classic.
