Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (14) drives around UCLA guard Skyy Clark (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

JOHN BOHNENKAMP | Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Bennett Stirtz scored 27 points and No. 25 Iowa held off a second-half comeback attempt by UCLA for a 74-61 win on Saturday.

The Hawkeyes (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) led by as many as 24 points in the first half and 20 points early in the second half before the Bruins (10-4, 2-1) stormed back.

UCLA went on an 18-2 run early in the second half and closed within 61-57 with 3:13 remaining before Iowa pulled away. The Hawkeyes closed the game with a 13-4 run, capped by Stirtz’s long 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring with four seconds left.

Iowa, which won its fourth consecutive game, made just 8 of 22 shots in the second half.

Alvaro Folgueiras scored 13 points for the Hawkeyes. Isaia Howard had 11 points.

Donovan Dent led UCLA with 25 points, including 20 in the second half.

The Hawkeyes dominated the Bruins in the first half. Iowa had an early 18-3 run in the opening 9½ minutes for a 20-7 lead, and kept the pressure on UCLA by shooting 56% in the half on the way to a 40-22 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes, whose biggest lead in the half was 38-14 with 1:43 to play, were 7 of 16 from 3-point distance, while UCLA had just nine field goals overall in the half.

Stirtz had 14 points in the first half on 5-for-6 shooting, and added four assists.

Iowa’s defense held the Bruins to 37.5% shooting, forcing nine turnovers. UCLA coach Mick Cronin was so frustrated with the Bruins’ play he tossed his suit coat toward the bench in anger after calling a timeout with 44 seconds left in the half.

UCLA, in its second season in the Big Ten, was making its first appearance in Iowa City since 1990.

IOWA GAME NOTES

• The Hawkeyes picked up their second Big Ten victory of the season, downing UCLA, 74-61, on Saturday afternoon in front of a season-high 12,657 fans in attendance.
• Iowa matches the 2020-21 team for the best start through 14 games with a 12-2 record.
• Iowa moves to 9-0 inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season and 3-0 all-time against UCLA in Iowa City.
• The Hawkeyes had four players land in double figures: Bennett Stirtz (27), Alvaro Folgueiras (13), Isaia Howard (11), Tavion Banks (10)
  • Stirtz had his second straight and sixth 20-point game of the season, finishing with 27 points on 8-of-10 shooting with four 3-pointers and he went 7-of-7 from the free throw line.  He also had five assists in the game.
  • Folgueriras opened the game 3-for-3 from 3-point range. It was his fourth game with three 3-pointers.
  • Howard scored in double figures for the first time in seven games, finishing with 11 points.
• UCLA cut an 18-point halftime deficit to four points (61-57) with 3:13 remaining.  The Bruins held the Hawkeyes without a field goal during a 6:03 stretch in the second half.
• Iowa held UCLA to a season-low 61 points.  The Bruins shot just 3-of-14 (21.4 percent) from 3-point range.
• The Hawkeyes had a 14-point advantage at the free throw line, going 22-of-26 from the line.  UCLA was 8-of-12.
• Iowa won the rebounding battle, 32-27.  The team is 10-1 when out-rebounding its opponent.
• UCLA made 3-of-11 field goals over first eight minutes and 6-of-20 field goals over the first 15 minutes.
• Iowa made 10 of its first 15 shots to start the game, including five 3-pointers, to build a 28-12 lead.
  • The Hawkeyes led by as many as 24 (38-14) in the first half. 

Up next

UCLA: At Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Iowa: At Minnesota on Tuesday.