Youth guides Iowa men to exhibition win

Iowa's men's basketball team beat Marian (Ind.) University 76-53 in an exhibition today at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Anthony Tucker scored 21 points to lead Iowa. Matt Gatens scored 14 points, while Devan Bawinkel scored 12 -- all on three-pointers. Freshman Eric May scored 10 on 4-of-10 shooting.

"Some shots didn't go in for me but there were some things I could correct," said May, who moved between an off-guard and forward position.

Three Iowa freshmen played signficant minutes. Point guard Cully Payne started and scored three points, dished six assists and grabbed two rebounds in 29 minutes. He also had three turnovers.

"I've been playing since I was 1," Payne said. "I don't really get nervous anymore.

"We've got tons of stuff to improve on, but it was definitely a good first step.

"Starting point guard for the University of Iowa, Big Ten, that's always a dream, like it was for Matt (Gatens, a sophomore) last year. It's like a dream come true. It really shows that coach trusts me."

May, who swings between guard and forward, played 27 minutes and had seven rebounds. Center Brennan Cougill scored six points and pulled down five rebounds in 19 minutes.

Iowa shot 46.7 percent from the field and sank 14 three-pointers.

Lickliter wouldn't declare Tucker totally back to his previous form. Through his first six games last year, Tucker averaged nearly 18 points a game. He didn't start on Sunday but played 24 minutes and hit 7 of 13 shots.

“I think Anthony has got a skill that you have to work at, but it's one that you should appreciate,” Lickliter said. “We feel like when he gets an open look, that's when he gets in trouble if he doesn't shoot.”

In the first half, Iowa's largest lead was 11 points with 8 minutes, 5 seconds left in the first half. Marian closed the half with a 7-2 run.

In the first half, Marian hit 40 percent of its shots -- 10 of 25 -- and 7 of 18 3-pointers. Iowa shot 44.8 percent of its shots -- 13 of 29 -- and hit half of its 3-pointers (7 of 14). Marian had nine turnovers, while Iowa had seven.

Iowa outrebounded Marian 44-30. Sophomore forward Aaron Fuller led Iowa with 15 rebounds.

“That's just sheer will ...,” Fuller said, “just having a knack to where the ball is at and just wanting to go get it and make sure they only get one shot.”

Marian forward Jordan Tucker led the Crusaders with eight points.

Marian is an NAIA school based in Indianapolis. The Knights finished 11-15 last year.