Iowa Newcomers Combine to Score 49 as Men Roll in Opener [PHOTOS]
One night after the Iowa women's basketball team scored 102 in their season opener, the Iowa men lit up the Carver-Hawkeye Arena scoreboard even more.
Iowa hosted North Dakota Tuesday night in Iowa City and by the time the first 20 minutes were over, the Hawkeyes put up 56 points and led by 24. When the final horn sounded, Iowa had scored the most points ever in a season opener under Fran McCaffery, who's in his 14th season. The final was Iowa-110 North Dakota-68. It was quite an opener for a host of new Iowa Hawkeyes.
Let's begin with Payton Sandfort. The 6'7" junior from Waukee led six Hawkeyes in double figures with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. The 21 points came in just over 20 minutes on the floor.
Payton Sandfort and Patrick McCaffery celebrate.
6'9" senior Patrick McCaffery netted eleven points and five rebounds in just under 23 minutes. Fellow senior Tony Perkins grabbed six rebounds, scored 10 points, and showed off his high-flying skills.
Tony Perkins for the dunk.
We also can't forget sophomore Dasonte Bowen. After playing somewhat sparingly last season, Bowen started and played just under 22 minutes Monday night. The 6'2" guard from Massachusetts scored 12 points, had three rebounds, and also dished out five assists to go along with two steals. He was one for two from long range.
Dasonte Bowen for three!
Now for the newcomers. 6'9" Valparaiso transfer Ben Krikke started in his first game as a Hawkeye and scored 18 points in just over 23 minutes. Krikke also was credited with six rebounds, one assist, and one steal. He had no turnovers in a game that saw Iowa make only seven in the entire contest.
Ben Krikke sets a screen as Payton Sandfort takes a shot.
All the other Hawkeyes who saw their first regular season game action came off the bench. 6'10 freshman Owen Freeman from Moline led the way. He poured in 14 points on seven of eight shooting, in only 15 minutes on the floor. Freeman also had three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
Owen Freeman for the dunk.
6'8" freshman Ladji Dembele sparked Iowa with 8 pounds in 15 minutes; 6'0" freshman guard Brock Harding, who played high school basketball with Freeman, had 6 points; 6'6" freshman Pryce Sandfort, younger brother of Payton, had three points on the night. He also pulled down three rebounds.
Even Brauns, a 6'9" center who transferred to Iowa from Belmont was in street clothes and didn't play last night. 6'11 junior Riley Mulvey also did not see action in the game.
Iowa hosts Alabama State on Friday at 7 p.m. The game will be available on Peacock.
If Iowa wins Friday night, it will be Fran McCaffery's 263rd victory at Iowa. That would put him just eight wins behind Dr. Tom Davis' Iowa record of 271.
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