Iowa basketball (6-0) wins its first legitimate test of the 2025-26 campaign with a 74-69 victory over Ole Miss (5-1) late Tuesday night in the Acrisure Classic from Palm Springs, Calif.
While the first half was characterized by several defensive stands by both teams, the offenses opened up in the second half, with Bennett Stirtz almost single-handedly carrying the Hawkeyes to victory.
Stirtz would finish with 29 points on 9-for-20 from the field, 6-for-8 from deep, and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe, to go along with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal through a complete 40-minute effort.
Additionally, Cooper Koch would register his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
As a team, Iowa would shoot 24-for-56 from the floor, 8-for-22 from 3-point land, and 18-for-24 from the free-throw line, to go along with 30 rebounds (19 defensive, 11 offensive).
On defense, Iowa would force 13 Ole Miss turnovers, including 5 steals and 1 block. In turn, the Hawkeyes would convert those turnovers into 13 points.
While it was a battle, the Hawkeyes are clearly proving that they are a threat this season and have the ability to make major moves in the national landscape.
Final: Iowa 74, Ole Miss 69
In Heaven, there is no beer!
Hawkeyes Win!
0:44 2nd Half: Iowa 70, Ole Miss 65
Ole Miss Timeout.
Chris Beard calls his final timeout to set up a defensive strategy down five points.
1:11 2nd Half: Iowa 68, Ole Miss 63
Ole Miss Timeout.
Rebels hit a corner 3-pointer to cut the Iowa lead to five points.
1:55 2nd Half: Iowa 68, Ole Miss 60
Ole Miss Timeout.
Iowa’s free-flowing offense finds a cutting Howard for a slam to force a Rebels’ timeout.
3:55 2nd Half: Iowa 64, Ole Miss 58
Media Timeout.
Iowa is looking to pull away late with a six-point lead entering the final media stoppage, but Ole Miss will be heading to the line after the break with a chance to pull closer.
5:40 2nd Half: Iowa 64, Ole Miss 57
Ole Miss Timeout.
Stirtz is on fire with 27 points so far, but the Rebels are keeping it close with scoring of their own.
7:22 2nd Half: Iowa 54, Ole Miss 53
Media Timeout.
Both teams are trading buckets as the Hawkeyes hold a narrow one-point lead into the under-8 media timeout.
Stirtz has been electric from the floor with 24 points on 7-for-15 from the field, 5-for-6 from deep, and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.
11:14 2nd Half: Iowa 44, Ole Miss 41
Media Timeout.
Cooper Koch picks up a common foul, his third of the game.
11:28 2nd Half: Iowa 44, Ole Miss 41
Iowa timeout.
Bennett Stirtz is taking over the game as Iowa’s offense is flowing through the senior point guard. However, the Ole Miss perimeter shooting is also heating up through dribble penetration.
15:47 2nd Half: Iowa 37, Ole Miss 35
Both teams are battling to start the second half as the Hawkeyes hold a two-point lead into the first media timeout of the second half.
First Half Flicks
Halftime: Iowa 31, Ole Miss 31
What started as a defensive grudge match between the Hawkeyes and Rebels has warmed up into a bit more free-flowing offense, as Ole Miss drained a 3-pointer to tie the game in the waiting seconds of the first half
While the Hawkeyes shot 12-of-27 from the field, compared to the Rebels’ 10-for-19, Iowa’s 6-3 offensive rebounding advantage has created extra opportunities at the basket.
Stirtz leads all scorers with 11 points on 11 points on 4-for-10 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3-point territory, and 1-for-2 from the free-throw line.
On defense, Iowa has forced Ole Miss into 10 turnovers, including 4 steals, which have been converted into 10 points after the takeaways.
The concern for the Hawkeyes in the second half will be not only avoiding the obvious scoring droughts against a fast-paced Rebels lineup, but also avoiding foul trouble if Manyawu, Stirtz, or Folgueiris pick up more fouls early in the second half.
0:27 1st Half: Iowa 31, Ole Miss 28
Ole Miss Timeout.
Chris Beard calls a timeout to set up a quality possession to close out the first half.
2:36 1st Half: Iowa 25, Ole Miss 22
Media Timeout.
Ole Miss has been efficient on offense, which is a growing concern for the Hawkeyes, as the Rebels are doing a good job of drawing contact and racking up fouls on multiple Iowa players.
Fortunately, Stirtz is scorching hot from the floor with 11 points on 4-for-8 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3-point territory, and 1-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Iowa is on a 7-0 scoring run.
5:45 1st Half: Iowa 16, Ole Miss 16
Iowa and Media Timeout.
Bennett Stirtz finally breaks the scoring dam with a 3-point shot, which has gotten him hot with 8 points for Iowa.
Iowa is finding its groove offensively, but it is also picking up a concerning number of fouls on defense. Three Hawkeyes have picked up two fouls so far.
Likewise, Ole Miss has found its scoring touch, forcing Ben McCollum to call a timeout.
11:44 1st Half: Iowa 7, Ole Miss 5
Media Timeout.
Both offenses are struggling mightily, as the only 2 points have come from traditional field goals since the last media timeout.
14:47 1st Half: Iowa 4, Ole Miss 2
Media Timeout.
Iowa and Ole Miss are playing excellently on defense so far, as both teams are playing with high energy.
Time for the Main Event
Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Five
Let’s Get To Work
Warming Up
Hawkeyes have arrived
Final Prep Work
Gameday Energy
Heading out to Cali
Iowa basketball 2025-26 schedule
All times CT
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball powers past Ole Miss: Final Score, Recap
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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