By TODD DVORAK
Associated Press Writer
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Pierre Pierce scored 16 points and five others scored in double figures to lead Iowa to an 85-62 victory over Western Illinois Friday.
Pierce led a balanced Hawkeye attack on offense and Jeff Horner, who had six steals, led a pesky defense that forced 26 Leatherneck turnovers.
Adam Haluska and Doug Thomas each scored 14 points, Erek Hansen had 13 and Horner and Greg Brunner each chipped in 10 points.
The Hawkeyes (1-0) also were perfect from the free-throw line, setting a team record by hitting all 20 attempts.
The Leathernecks (0-1) were led by Eulis Baez, who scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Eliz Cepeda had 11 points.
With both teams shooting evenly, the difference for Iowa came on defense. The Hawkeyes outscored Western Illinois after turnovers 34-10, en route to Iowa's 41st straight home opening victory.
After trailing early in the first half, Western Illinois tied the game at 15 apiece on a tip-in by Baez at the 12:44 mark.
But the Hawkeyes tightened on defense and began forcing a rash of turnovers that helped Iowa pull away late in the first half.
A pair of Horner free throws with 5:22 remaining in the half triggered a 16-5 run, putting Iowa up 41-24 at the half.
Iowa continued to dominate in the second half and led by as many as 27 when Brunner hit a follow up shot and ensuing free throw with 10:33 to go.
Iowa shot 47.5 percent and 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point arc, while Western Illinois shot 46.9 percent and just 28.6 percent of 3-pointers.
