IOWA CITY, Iowa — Sophomore Keegan Murray scored 29 points on Wednesday night as the University of Iowa men’s basketball team closed out 2021, with a 92-71 victory over Western Illinois on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The nation’s leading scorer, Murray piled on 29 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season. Murray’s total marked the ninth time he has scored 20 points or more in 12 outings. He added three blocks, three steals, and three assists as Iowa rolled the Leathernecks for the 11th consecutive time. Murray carried 18 points into halftime as a layup from sixth-year senior Jordan Bohannon put the Hawkeyes up 53-33 at the break.
Western Illinois (10-4) cut the deficit to as low as 13 points in the second half, but Iowa pulled away with explosive scoring as 10 Hawkeyes found the bucket and four reached double figures.
Bohannon and freshman Payton Sandfort were Iowa’s second-leading scorers with 13 points apiece. Sandfort’s scoring came on 5-of-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc. Sandfort also hauled in five rebounds and snagged a steal on the evening.
Redshirt sophomore Patrick McCaffery put up 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and sinking both free throw attempts. McCaffery’s stat line also included three rebounds, two blocks, and an assist.
The Hawkeyes posted a 41-31 advantage on the glass, also topping Western Illinois in assists by a margin of 15-4. Iowa outscored the Leathernecks 54-42 in the paint, as well as 31-2 in transition. Iowa also swatted eight blocks and grabbed six steals while shooting 18-of-20 (.900) at the free throw line.
Iowa resumes conference play on Monday, Jan. 3, hosting Maryland. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
