Bennett Stirtz scored a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds and Tavion Banks chipped in 13 points to help Iowa post an 81-62 victory against Xavier on Friday in Iowa City.

Kael Combs added 11 points for the Hawkeyes (3-0).

Jovan Milicevic paced the Musketeers with 15 points. Filip Borovicanin and Tre Carroll scored 12 points apiece, but Xavier (2-2) was unable to overcome struggles with shooting and interior defense as well as early issues with ball control.

Xavier committed turnovers on its first three possessions, and nine of its 12 giveaways came in the first half.

Iowa led by as many as 22 points while outscoring Xavier 50-26 in the paint. A Combs three-point play off a jumper in the lane gave the Hawkeyes their largest cushion midway through the second half. Iowa shot 56

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