Iowa finishes non-conference slate with 19-point win

IOWA CITY - Iowa improved to 7-5 overall with a 77-58 win against Louisiana Tech tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Matt Gatens scored 22 points and Bryce Cartwright added 19 for Iowa. Jarryd Cole scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

The game was Iowa's non-conference finale. The Hawkeyes play No. 21 Illinois on Dec. 29 at home in the Big Ten opener.

Here's the halftime story:

Matt Gatens scored 11 points to help pace Iowa to a 35-34 halftime lead at Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight against Louisiana Tech.

The Hawkeyes (6-5) took an eight-point lead midway through the first half on a 10-0 run. But the Hawkeyes gave it up just as quickly as the Bulldogs mounted a 13-3 run to take a 27-25 lead.

Iowa has hit nearly 42 percent from the field, with Gatens drilling three 3-pointers. Bryce Cartwright has five assists, six points and six defensive rebounds.

Louisiana Tech (9-4) was led by Olu Ashaolu's 12 points. Eric May has eight points for Iowa.

Iowa has nine fouls to Louisiana Tech's five. Melsahn Basabe, Andrew Brommer, Zach McCabe and Jarryd Cole each have two for Iowa.

Iowa gave out 3,000 free Fran McCaffery bobbleheads before the game and another 2,000 to scratch-off winners.