Western Illinois Leathernecks @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Stirtz scores 24 and plays every minute in Iowa's 77-58 win over Western Illinois
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- — Bennett Stirtz scored 24 points, dished out seven assists, and played all 40 minutes as Iowa defeated Western Illinois, 77-58 on Friday.
Stirtz, a preseason All-American and one of 12 newcomers to join the Hawkeyes (2-0) this season, has led the team in scoring in both games this season after following new head coach Ben McCollum from Drake and Northwest Missouri.
Alvaro Folgueiras, a transfer from Robert Morris, scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting as the only other Hawkeye in double-digits, along with five rebounds and five assists. Isaiah Howard added eight points and four assists.
Iowa was up by eight points at halftime, carrying a 41-33 lead into the break, but outpaced the Leathernecks (0-2) 36-25 in the second half to secure the win.
Isaiah Griffin led Western Illinois with 21 points (8-of-13 shooting) and five rebounds, and Tyran Cook added 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Tim Comer
- Rob Kueneman
- Steve McJunkins
2025-26 Ohio Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIU Edwardsville | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Little Rock | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Tennessee State | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| UT Martin | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Eastern Illinois | 0-0 | - | 1-1 |
| Lindenwood | 0-0 | - | 1-1 |
| Morehead State | 0-0 | - | 1-1 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 0-0 | - | 0-2 |
| Southern Indiana | 0-0 | - | 0-2 |
| Tennessee Tech | 0-0 | - | 0-2 |
| Western Illinois | 0-0 | - | 0-2 |
2025-26 Big Ten Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Iowa | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Northwestern | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Ohio State | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Purdue | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Washington | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Wisconsin | 0-0 | - | 2-0 |
| Indiana | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Michigan | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Michigan State | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Minnesota | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Nebraska | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Oregon | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Penn State | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Rutgers | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| UCLA | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| USC | 0-0 | - | 1-0 |
| Maryland | 0-0 | - | 1-1 |

