Iowa (6-0) rolls into the championship game of the Acrisure Classic from Palm Desert, Calif., where it will meet Grand Canyon (4-2).
The Hawkeyes picked up a signature nonconference victory over Ole Miss on Tuesday night, downing the Rebels, 74-69, behind a stellar effort from senior point guard Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz finished with 29 points as he knocked down 6-of-8 3-pointers.
Meanwhile, Grand Canyon toppled Utah, 68-58, to set up the championship bout. The Lopes were led by senior guard Jaden Henley’s 18 points.
With tipoff approaching, Hawkeye fans can follow along here for live updates, including the latest score, highlights, and analysis:
11:59 2nd Half: Iowa 37, Grand Canyon 27
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While Iowa has not added much on offense as of late, the Hawkeyes’ defense is absolutely suffocating the Lopes in the second half.
The lone worry for the Hawkeyes is a late surge by the Lopes that can get the pro-Grand Canyon crowd excited.
15:32 2nd Half: Iowa 35, Grand Canyon 23
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While the lead remains the same since the last stoppage, Iowa is frustrating Grand Canyon’s offensive attack by forcing the Lopes to take low-percentage shots and make uncharacteristic decisions with the ball.
Grand Canyon has not scored since there were 2:34 remaining in the first half.
17:52 2nd Half: Iowa 35, Grand Canyon 23
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Lopes calls a timeout after Iowa has stormed out of the halftime break with an efficient offensive rhythm and a stifling defense.
First Half Flicks
Halftime: Iowa 30, Grand Canyon 23
Iowa survived a slow start to take its biggest lead of the game into the locker room. Cooper Koch has seven points and six rebounds to lead the way for the Hawkeyes, while Kael Combs and Isaia Howard have six points, and Bennett Stirtz has chipped in five.
The Iowa defense has settled in after a slow start and is playing really well right now. This is going to be a rock fight.
1:37 1st Half: Iowa 28, Grand Canyon 23
A common foul on the Lopes is currently under review late in the first half. It will remain a common foul, and the Hawkeyes will shoot a pair of free throws. Cooper Koch nailed them both.
2:54 1st Half: Iowa 26, Grand Canyon 20
Iowa’s offense is still stuck in the mud a bit right now, but a Cooper Koch three gave Iowa its biggest lead of the game before the under-four timeout. The Hawkeyes are doing a great job getting to the free-throw line, making 8-10 at the charity stripe. The defense is stifling the Lopes, forcing turnovers and missed shots left and right. Until the offense gets cooking, Iowa will need to rely on its defense to keep putting in work.
7:46 1st Half: Iowa 17, Grand Canyon 15
The Hawkeyes are starting to get it going on both ends of the court now. The offense is still a work in progress, but the defense is dialed in right now, holding the Lopes to one field goal over the last four-plus minutes. Iowa is just 1-4 from behind the arc, a number that will need to improve if they want to win this one.
10:42 1st Half: Iowa 13, Grand Canyon 13
A quick 5-0 Iowa run forces a GCU timeout! Stirtz is on the board with his first three of the night, and Howard has six points already. Iowa seems to be settling into the game now.
11:57 1st Half: Iowa 8, Grand Canyon 13
A slow start to this one for the Hawkeyes on both sides of the floor. Coming off a 29-point night against Ole Miss, Bennett Stirtz has yet to score in this one. Grand Canyon is already 3-6 from behind the arc, feeding off their fans. Jaden Henley already has eight points for the Lopes. Isaia Howard and Kael Combs are the only Hawkeyes to score so far.
Where to watch Iowa basketball vs. Grand Canyon
TV: CBS Sports Network
Tipoff Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
Watch Iowa vs. Grand Canyon
Iowa basketball vs. Grand Canyon betting odds
All odds courtesy of BetMGM
Spread: Iowa -8.5
Over-Under: 143.5
Iowa basketball 2025-26 schedule
All times CT
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball vs. Grand Canyon today: Live updates, score
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
