IOWA CITY, Iowa – North Carolina Central University and Iowa traded the lead 11 times, but the Hawkeyes used a nine-point run in the second half to pull away from the Eagles on the way to an 86-69 final score at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
 
NCCU (0-3) shot an electric 58.1 percent from the field in the first half as the Eagles and Iowa (3-0) traded the lead 11 times.  The Hawkeyes were able to get to the line more often than the Eagles, and that proved to be the difference throughout the course of the game.  Iowa knocked down 17 of 18 free throw attempts in the first period on the way to a narrow 49-44 lead at the half.
 
Although NCCU outshot the Hawkeyes and made five more field goals, Iowa's 35 made free throws and a late nine-point run allowed the home team to come away with an 86-69 victory.
 
The Eagles shot 47.5 percent from the floor as a team, and Randy Miller Jr. (Odenton, Md.) made half of his attempts as he sank seven shots on the way to a team-high 15 points.  Marque Maultsby (Raleigh, N.C.) had a near double-double with 12 points and eight boards, and Kris Monroe (Raleigh, N.C.) was the third Eagle to reach double-digits with 10 points.  Eric Boone (Lexington, Ky.) had a complete game with nine points, five rebounds, and five assists for the maroon and gray.
 
Iowa was led by Keegan Murray (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), who had an impressive game with 27 points and 21 rebounds for the Hawkeyes.  Patrick McCaffery (Iowa City, Iowa) connected on a three-pointer to tie the Big Ten career record for most treys made on the way to 15 points, and he was followed by Troy Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) with 13 points, and Ahron Ulis (Chicago Heights, Ill.) with 12.
 
NCCU will next visit Alabama State on Saturday, Nov. 20 to finish the four-game season-opening road trip.