Iowa Men’s Basketball Destroys Rider Despite Absence of Josh Dix
Hawkeyes Dominate in Homecoming Victory
Iowa City, IA – The Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team put on a clinic on Monday night, crushing the Rider Broncs 112-67 in front of a raucous home crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Despite the absence of star center Josh Dix due to injury, Iowa’s depth and firepower proved to be too much for the visitors.
First Half Dominance
The Hawkeyes came out firing, taking a commanding 18-point lead by the midway point of the first half. Senior guard Connor McCaffery led the way with 10 points, while junior forward Patrick McCaffery added 8 points. Iowa’s defense was also impressive, holding Rider to just 28% shooting from the field.
Balanced Scoring Attack
With Dix on the sidelines, several players stepped up to contribute to Iowa’s scoring outburst. Six Hawkeyes finished in double figures, including:
- Connor McCaffery – 22 points
- Patrick McCaffery – 17 points
- Kris Murray – 16 points
- Keegan Murray – 15 points
- Tony Perkins – 12 points
- Ahron Ulis – 10 points
Defensive Intensity
In addition to their offensive prowess, the Hawkeyes also displayed strong defensive play. They forced 20 Rider turnovers and held the Broncs to just 33% shooting for the game. Sophomore forward Filip Rebraca was a key contributor on defense, with 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
Coach Fran McCaffery’s Reaction
“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s performance tonight,” said head coach Fran McCaffery. “We knew Rider was going to be a tough opponent, but our guys came out with great energy and focus. The absence of Josh Dix was a challenge, but it allowed other players to step up and make contributions. This win is a great way to start our season and gives us confidence moving forward.”
Conclusion
The Iowa Hawkeyes sent a resounding message to the college basketball world with their dominant victory over Rider. Despite the absence of Dix, the team showed that they have plenty of talent and depth. With the Big Ten Conference schedule looming, the Hawkeyes will look to build on this positive start to the season.
