IOWA CITY, Iowa - For the first time in school history, the Marian University men's basketball team traveled to the University of Iowa for an exhibition matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights hung with the Hawkeyes throughout the first half, but the Hawkeyes pulled away in the second half to earn a 76-53 victory over the Knights in front of 8,660 spectators.

Iowa opened an 11-point lead, 22-11, with 8:05 remaining in the first half, but the Knights went on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to five, 24-19, with 5:31 to go. The Hawkeyes opened the lead back up to 10, 32-22, with 3:32 to go, but the Knights closed the half on another 7-2 run to cut it back to five, 34-29, at the end of the half.

The Knights shot 40 percent (13-for-29) in the first 20 minutes and outscored Iowa, 10-8, off turnovers. They also outscored the Hawkeyes, 6-2, on the fast break.

The second half was a different story as the Knights went cold from the field. The Hawkeyes opened the half on a 17-2 run to take a 20-point lead, 51-31, and the Knights could only get as close as 11, 54-43, with 10:57 remaining in the game. Iowa outscored the Knights 22-10 over the final 11 minutes to close out the 76-53 win.

The Knights shot just 26 percent (6-for-23) from the field in the second frame, while Iowa shot 48 percent (15-for-31) including a 14-2 advantage in the paint. The Hawkeyes outscored the Knights 24-6 in the paint and scored 16 second-chance points in the victory.

Junior Jordan Tucker (Kirklin, Ind./Clinton Central) led the Knights with 15 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Alex Sylvester (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) tallied 10 points and handed out four assists. Junior Brandon Malone (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) led the Knights with six rebounds, while sophomore Jameson Wheeler (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) handed out a team-high five assists.

Head coach John Grimes and the Knights open his 34th regular season when they head to the Bethel College Classic in Mishawaka, Ind., on Friday and Saturday. They open with Holy Cross College on Friday night at 6 p.m., and they take on Judson University (Ill.) on Saturday at 1 p.m.