IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Keegan Murray had 27 points and 21 rebounds — both career highs — and Iowa used a 14-3 second-half run to pull away in its 86-69 win over North Carolina Central. His 21 rebounds are the most since by and Iowa player since Greg Brunner had 23 against Minnesota on January 18, 2006. Murray scored eight points, including three dunks, as Iowa (3-0), which led by as many as 15 points in the first half, used an 18-6 run in the middle of the second to pull away for good. Randy Miller Jr. led the Eagles with 15 points. The Hawkeyes shot just 38% from the field, compared to 47% by NCCU, but outrebounded the Eagles 44-31 and outscored them 35-8 from the free-throw line — where Iowa shot 85%.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Mackenzie Holmes and Aleksa Gulbe each scored 22 points to help No. 4 Indiana rout Norfolk State 72-42. Holmes, who was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, scored 18 of her points in the first half. The Hoosiers (3-0) only led 22-21 in the second quarter before they scored the final 17 points of the half to go into the break up 18. Indiana, which moved up to No. 4 in the poll on Monday for the school’s best ranking ever, committed 22 turnovers but only allowed 23 points off them. Norfolk State (2-2) was led by Deja Frances, who scored 12 points for the Spartans. Norfolk State shot just 25% from the field.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Angel Reese scored 18 points and had a career-high 15 rebounds, Mimi Collins scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Ashley Owusu had 16 as No. 3 Maryland rolled to a 98-57 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday night. Katie Benzan had 14 points and eight assists. Chloe Bibby added 13 points and nine rebounds. and Shyanne Sellers had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Mount St. Mary’s was led by Aryna Taylor’s 21. Kendall Bresee had 12 points and eight rebounds. Maryland (4-0) scored the game’s first 16 points and didn’t allow a field goal until Taylor hit a 3-pointer with 2:13 left in the first quarter.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Alex Padilla is set to make his second straight start when No. 18 Iowa hosts Illinois on Saturday. That doesn’t mean the Hawkeyes have moved on from Spencer Petras. Coach Kirk Ferentz said he’ll have to decide whether to bring back Petras. That decision might come soon. Petras started 17 consecutive games before a shoulder injury knocked him out of most of the Nov. 6 win at Northwestern. Petras isn’t listed on the depth chart this week but has been working with the No. 2 offense in practice.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Ron Harper Jr. had 20 points and a career-high 13 rebounds to lead Rutgers to a 75-61 victory over NJIT. Harper was 6 of 15 from the field and made 7 of his 10 free throws. He has scored in double figures in each of Rutgers’ three games. Geo Baker added 19 points for the Scarlet Knights (3-0). He also had four assists to surpass 400 in his career. Dylan O’Hearn scored 20 points for NJIT (1-2). Miles Coleman added 15 points and Antwuan Butler had 13. The Scarlet Knights took the lead for good about three minutes into the second half.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — With two weeks left in the regular season, the Big Ten has positioned itself to get a third straight berth in the College Football Playoff, and possibly two if an avalanche of things go the right way. No. 5 Ohio State, No. 7 Michigan State and No. 8 Michigan all have 9-1 records and are in position to get the league a third straight spot in the playoff. There’s also a chance the Big Ten can get shut out, as it did in 2017 and ’18. That happens if the West winner _ No. 19 Wisconsin leads _ captures the conference title game.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Illinois coach Bret Bielema has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss his team’s game at No. 18 Iowa on Saturday. Bielema said he was tested for the coronavirus Monday night after developing mild symptoms during the day. He said he is vaccinated and received a booster shot last week. Bielema said without elaborating that he would be as present as possible for Saturday’s game through technology. Assistant head coach George McDonald will be in charge during Bielema’s absence. Bielema said he hopes to return to the team next week.
