The University of Iowa men’s basketball team achieved a 74-69 victory over Ole Miss on Tuesday night in the opening game of the Acrisure Classic held at Acrisure Arena. With this win, the Hawkeyes improved their record to 6-0 for the season, marking an impressive start.
The game began slowly for both teams, with Iowa and Ole Miss combining to hit only 3-of-11 shots from the field initially. The Hawkeye defense was particularly effective, forcing the Rebels into four turnovers in their first eight possessions and limiting them to a mere 1-of-6 start shooting. Ole Miss struggled significantly, going scoreless for over six minutes.
Midway through the first half, senior Bennett Stirtz helped Iowa regain momentum with a personal 7-0 scoring run, pushing the Hawkeyes to a 14-8 lead. Iowa continued to build on this momentum, scoring nine unanswered points to establish a 27-22 advantage. By halftime, the teams were tied at 31-31.
Stirtz had a standout performance in the first half, leading all scorers with 11 points, while junior Cam Manyawu contributed with four rebounds, two steals, and an assist. The Hawkeyes’ defense was relentless, forcing Ole Miss into 10 turnovers before the break.
In the second half, Iowa found itself trailing by one point with just over seven minutes to play. The team responded with a decisive 10-2 run, taking a 64-57 lead and maintaining it until the final buzzer. The Hawkeyes sealed the victory from the free-throw line, marking their first win against an SEC opponent since 2010.
Stirtz continued to shine in the second half with an impressive 18 points, including shooting 4-of-5 from three-point range, finishing the game with a total of 29 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Additionally, redshirt freshman Cooper Koch made a significant contribution with his first career double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Iowa concluded the game shooting 24-of-56 (42.9%) from the field and 8-of-22 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. They were particularly effective at the free-throw line, hitting 18-of-24 attempts (75.0%). Notably, the Hawkeyes had a season-low seven turnovers, with only one occurring in the second half.
The victory not only reflects Iowa’s strong start to the season but also underscores their defensive prowess and ability to execute under pressure, setting a positive tone as they continue their campaign.