Iowa overpowers Stetson in 95-68 win
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - It took freshman Cordell Pemsl six games to crack the starting lineup for the Iowa Hawkeyes this season, but it looks like he might stay there for a long time.
Pemsl muscled in 21 points Monday night as Iowa (4-5) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 95-68 victory over Stetson.
Pemsl, a powerful 6-foot-8, 249-pound forward, has averaged 19 points since making the starting lineup three games ago with outputs of 18, 18 and now 21 points.
Most impressive of all, Pemsl has made 23 of 27 shots as a member of the starting lineup with a series of strong moves around the basket.
"I've just been taking shots that I know I can make," he said. "I've been working on sealing and getting good positioning. And when I've gotten the ball I've been effective, so I try to take shots I know I can make or kick it out to my teammates."
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery likes the way Pemsl has been playing.
"The thing about it, he knows what's a good shot and what's not a good shot," said McCaffery. "He has great hands, great touch. He's crafty around the basket."
We'll keep throwing him the ball, because good things happen.
"He knows when to go and when not to go, and that's not often the case with young players."
Pemsl's teammates did a good job of feeding him near the basket.
"They know that I'm going to hustle down and I'm going to fight for good positioning," he said, "and once I get there they know where to pass it and where I want it."
Isaiah Moss, a redshirt freshman, pumped in five 3-pointers and also scored 21 points for the Hawkeyes, while Peter Jok collected 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Leo Goodman led Stetson (4-6) with 14 points.
The Hawkeyes got off to a fast start and had a 14-2 lead a little more than four minutes in. Iowa led 44-28 at halftime and raised the margin to 30 points at 90-60 on another 3-pointer by Moss, who finished with a career high in 3-pointers and points.
Iowa had surrendered 100, 92 and 98 points in its last three games, including a stunning 98-89 loss to Nebraska-Omaha, but the Hawkeyes played a much tighter game against the visitors from Florida.
BIG PICTURE
Iowa: The Hawkeyes had allowed an average of 96.7 points in their last three games before holding Stetson to 68, but Iowa will be tested again Thursday night when it hosts the high-scoring Iowa State Cyclones ... The Hawkeyes played their third straight game without freshman Tyler Cook, who is sidelined with a broken finger after averaging 13.7 points in the first six games ...
Stetson: The Hatters lost for the fifth time in their last six games and fell to 1-11 against Big Ten teams in school history ... Stetson has made at least one 3-pointer in 370 straight games, a streak that began in 2004 ... Head coach Corey Williams has a 32-74 record in four years at Stetson.
NUMBERS
Eleven players scored for the Hawkeyes and 11 grabbed at least one rebound.
PIVOTAL PLAY
Pemsl scored the first two baskets for Iowa in the opening minute and the Hawkeyes cruised from there.
HE SAID IT
"We have smart, intelligent guys with character," McCaffery said after Iowa snapped its four-game losing streak with the 27-point victory. "They know what they have to do."
UP NEXT
Iowa will be idle for nine days for final exams after hosting Iowa State.
Stetson travels to Illinois for a Wednesday matchup against SIU Edwardsville.