Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras drives to the basket against Bucknell’s Grgur Brcic during a game at Casey’s Center on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in Des Moines. (Photo/Lily Smith/The Register)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Reserve Alvaro Folgueiras scored 15 of his 17 points before halftime and Iowa overwhelmed Bucknell 94-39 on Saturday.

Tavion Banks scored 16 points, Kael Combs 13 and Iowa saw 11 players score — finishing the night with a 60%-shooting effort (38 of 63).

Ruot Bijiek scored nine points for the Bison. Bucknell finished shooting 37% (15 of 41).

In helping the Hawkeyes (10-2) to a 43-21 halftime lead, Folgueiras shot 6 of 7 including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. Iowa shot 57% (16 of 28) including 44% (4 of 9) from behind the arc.

The Hawkeyes opened the scoring spigot even more, reaching 51 points on 62.9% shooting (22 of 35).

Despite the Bison’s 10-2 start in the first three-and-a-half minutes, Iowa rallied and took control of the game over the next four-and-a-half minutes, outscoring Bucknell 17-0 and never looking back.

Bucknell (3-10) shot 40% (8 for 20) before the break.

HAWKEYES GAME NOTES

• The Hawkeyes recorded their 10th win of the season, downing Bucknell, 94-39, on Saturday afternoon at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.  
• Iowa has won eight of its last nine games at the Casey’s Center dating back to 2013.
• The Hawkeyes improve to 10-2 overall, the program’s best start since the 2020-21 season (12-2 record). 
• The 55-point victory is the 17th largest margin of victory in program history.
  • It is Iowa’s 8th win by 19+ points this season.
• Iowa’s defense limited the Bison to 39 points – the fewest since Nov. 8, 2013 vs. UNC Wilmington (39).
  • Bucknell scored 10 points in the game’s first three minutes and 29 points the remainder of the game.
  • The Bison scored just 18 points in the second half. 
  • Iowa has held two opponents under 16 points in a half in the last two games.
• Iowa had three players land in double figures: Alvaro Folgueiras 17, Tavion Banks 16, Kael Combs 13
• Folgueiras’ 17 points were a season high.  He scored 13 points in the game’s first 8 1/2 minutes (15 in the first half), making his first five field goals, including three 3-pointers.
• Banks had 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting (7-of-8 FT) and had a game-high nine rebounds.
• Sophomore Isaia Howard had a career-high seven steals – the most by a Hawkeye since 2010 (Eric May vs. SIUE) and tied for the fourth-most in a game in program history.
• Senior Bennett Stirtz had a game-high six assists.
• The Hawkeyes had a season high 19 steals, including 11 in the first half.
  • The 19 steals are the most by the program since 2010 (19 vs. SIUE) and tied for the fourth most in a game in program history.
• Iowa shot 60.3 percent from the field (62.9 percent in the second half) and made eight 3s.
  • The team has been 50 percent or better in nine games. 
• After falling behind 10-2 to start the game, the Hawkeyes used a 17-0 and 20-2 run over a 5-minute stretch to build a 22-12 lead. Iowa forced five turnovers and held the Bison scoreless during the spurt.
• Overall, Iowa’s run extended to 26-3 over a 7:45 stretch, making seven straight field goals at one point, to push the Hawkeyes advantage to 28-13.

Up Next

Bucknell travels to face Holy Cross on New Year’s Eve.

Iowa hosts UMass Lowell on Dec. 29.