01/03/26 07:24:00
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01/03 19:23 CST Stirtz scores 27 points, No. 25 Iowa holds off a comeback try
by UCLA in 2nd half for a 74-61 win
Stirtz scores 27 points, No. 25 Iowa holds off a comeback try by UCLA in 2nd
half for a 74-61 win
By 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 9 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.
Up next
UCLA: At Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Iowa: At Minnesota on Tuesday.
___
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