LINCOLN, Neb. – The 25th-ranked University of Iowa men’s basketball team defeated Nebraska, 88-78, on Friday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena to notch its 20th victory of the season.
Iowa trailed for much of the first half before sixth year senior Jordan Bohannon found senior Filip Rebraca for a layup as time expired to give the Hawkeyes a 36-35 halftime advantage.
Iowa took charge in the second half, never ceding the lead en route to the 10-point victory.
Sophomore Tony Perkins led the way, scoring with a game and career-high 20 points. Perkins shot 80 percent from the floor, including 2-of-2 from behind the 3-point line. Perkins also hauled in five rebounds and posted a block to top off the standout performance.
Sophomore Keegan Murray posted his seventh double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Six Hawkeyes reached double figures in scoring. Bohannon and sophomore Kris Murray finished with 12 points apiece, while senior Connor McCaffery posted 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point land and redshirt sophomore Patrick McCaffery put up 10 points.
The Hawkeyes remain undefeated when they win the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Nebraska, 35-29, overall and 12-6 on the offensive boards. Iowa also outscored the Huskers, 12-4, off of turnovers and 19-5 on second-chance opportunities.
Iowa shot 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor on Friday. Iowa has won six of their last seven games to improve to 20-8 overall and 10-7 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes also notched their eighth 20 win season in the Fran McCaffery era, including the fourth straight.
Iowa has now also won 10 or more Big Ten games in seven of the last eight seasons and it was the first in Lincoln since Feb. 22, 2015.
