The Iowa Hawkeyes picked up a third straight win against non-conference opponents led by their star senior guard.

IOWA CITY — The Hawkeyes shot 57 percent from the field as they moved to 3-0 on the season. Bennett Stirtz scored 21 points and Tavion Banks scored 13 points as Iowa took control a little past the midway point of the first half to beat Xavier 81-62 on Friday night.

Stirtz broke a 22-22 tie with a dunk at 7:48 before halftime, Brendan Hausen followed with a 3-pointer and the undefeated Hawkeyes (3-0) 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.

Jovan Milicevic made two foul shots with 17:57 remaining, and Filip Borovicanin netted a jump shot to get the Musketeers (2-2) within 47-38 with 17:42. Cam Manyawu countered with a layup, and Iowa led by double digits for the remainder.

Reserve Kael Combs scored 11 points for Iowa, which shot 57% (29 of 51) despite just 27% shooting (3 of 11) from 3. Cam Manyawu added nine points and nine rebounds.

Milicevic scored 15 points, and Borovicanin and Tre Carroll each scored 12 for Xavier, which shot 39% (23 of 59).

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.

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.