COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sophomore Keegan Murray poured in a game-high 24 points as the University of Iowa men’s basketball team downed No. 18 Ohio State, 75-62, on the road Saturday afternoon at Value City Arena.
The Big Ten’s leading scorer dropped 20 points in the first half to help the Hawkeyes overcome a slow start and take a 39-38 lead into halftime.
Things broke Iowa’s way in the second half when sixth-year senior Jordan Bohannon drew a foul as the shot clock expired and drained a pair of free throws from the line. The Hawkeyes were spurred to a 9-0 run and led the rest of the game.
A sublime two-handed slam from Keegan Murray followed by a dunk from brother Kris Murray on the subsequent possession put Iowa up 11 points with under seven minutes to play. The Iowa lead didn’t fall below six points from there, with a 3-pointer from senior Connor McCaffery helping to ice the game with under two minutes left.
Iowa out-rebounded the Buckeyes, 40-31, including a 20-12 advantage on the offensive glass. The Hawkeyes improve to 15-0 this season in games where they win the battle on the boards.
Ohio State was held 12 points below its season scoring average, while Iowa had the advantage in scoring margin for second-chance points (18-11) and points off turnovers (16-10).
Keegan Murray’s 24 points came on 10-of-17 shooting (59 percent). He also had five rebounds, two assists and a block in the game.
Kris Murray approached a double-double with 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, while Bohannon finished with 10 points, including a pair of 3-point field goals.
