Iowa Defeats Ole Miss in Thrilling 74-69 Basketball Showdown

Palm Springs, California – Iowa‘s men’s basketball team improved to 6-0 by defeating Ole Miss 74-69 in the Acrisure Classic late Tuesday night.

The matchup marked the first meeting between the two teams, both of which entered the game unbeaten at 5-0. Iowa featured standout performances including Bennett Stirtz, who scored 29 points and made several key plays in the second half.

Iowa, known for its high field goal percentage, shot 24-for-56 from the floor, with Stirtz hitting 6 of 8 three-point attempts. Cooper Koch contributed significantly with his first career double-double, tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The game was fierce throughout, with both defenses creating a combat-like atmosphere in the first half. However, the pace picked up after halftime as Iowa’s offense began to find its rhythm.

“They’ll change defenses a lot,” Iowa Coach Ben McCollum said before the game, providing insight into Ole Miss’s defensive strategies. “They play extremely hard and are very competitive.”

Ole Miss had a strong outing led by their senior guard, who averaged 14.4 points prior to the game. He played an essential role in keeping the Rebels in contention. At one point, the Rebels cut Iowa’s lead to just five points with a well-placed three-pointer.

Iowa’s defense was effective, forcing 13 turnovers from Ole Miss and converting those into 13 fast-break points. The Hawkeyes controlled the boards with a total of 30 rebounds, 19 of which were defensive.

The game showcased the competitive edge both teams possess as Iowa now prepares for its next matchup against either Grand Canyon or Utah on Wednesday.