Iowa advances in NIT

IOWA CITY - Iowa advanced to the NIT quarterfinals after dispatching Stony Brook 75-63 Friday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes (23-12) will face the winner of Sunday morning's Virginia-St. John's game. Iowa would travel either Tuesday or Wednesday if Virginia wins. The Hawkeyes would play host to St. John's next Wednesday.

Before its second straight NIT sellout, the Hawkeyes pulled away from a tight game with a 13-3 run midway through the second half. With the score tied 41-41, a hobbling Mike Gesell drained a 3-pointer to put the Hawkeyes up three. On Iowa's next possession, Gesell fed forward Melsahn Basabe at the basket for a dunk to give Iowa a 46-41 lead.

Iowa (23-12) stretched its lead through the run with a pair of Zach McCabe baskets. McCabe hit a jumper, later a 3-pointer to take a 54-44 lead.

Iowa guard Devyn Marble scored 28 points to lead all scorers. It was his second-highest output this season. Marble dished five assists and scored 16 points by halftime. Aaron White added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Stony Brook (25-8) was led by Jameel Warney, who scored 17 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

FIRST HALF STORY

IOWA CITY -- Two teams known for defense combined for a semi-offensive explosion in the first half of an NIT second-round game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa boasts one of the Big Ten's best defenses, and Stony Brook held previous opponents to 37.5 percent from the floor. But both teams sank at least 50 percent of their shots by halftime, and Iowa took a 37-34 lead.

Iowa knocked down 14 of 28 shots, while Stony Brook hit 14 of 27. Both teams sank four 3-pointers. Iowa was efficient on offense, dishing 11 assists on its field goals. But Stony Brook held a surprising 16-13 advantage on the boards to stay with the Hawkeyes for most of the half.

Iowa's Devyn Marble scored 16 points and had three assists for Iowa. Aaron White added nine points. Stony Brook's Dave Coley scored 11 points and drained all three 3-point attempts.

With the score tied 34-34 late in the first half, Iowa held for a final shot. With 10 seconds left, White and sophomore Josh Oglesby criss-crossed along the baseline, leaving Oglesby open outside the the 3-point. Marble found Oglesby, who drilled a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left to provide the halftime advantage for Iowa.

The was a second straight NIT sellout for Iowa. The three largest crowds in the NIT over the last two years all took place at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.