Everyone’s attention in the North Liberty Community Center was distracted from the ongoing contest when Devyn Marble emerged from a crowd that hovered around the main entrance of Jones Gym. Marble had missed the previous two sets of Prime Time League games, but he returned on Sunday after being cut from the USA World University Games training camp.

Marble’s team went 0-2 in his absence, lacking a consistent offensive threat with fellow Hawkeye Josh Oglesby missing action, too. Iowa’s senior captain imposed his will in his return, tallying 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, but he admitted that he’s still getting back into game shape.

“It’s playing 40 again,” Marble said. “I’m in solid shape, but it’s still tough. A lot more up and down and more possessions. We’re shorthanded, we don’t have Josh, so teams are collapsing on me more often.”

Marble’s scoring efforts weren’t enough to overcome coach Randy Larson’s undefeated team, which went on to win, 103-83. The victory was fueled by the balanced scoring attack of Dondre Alexander, Anthony Clemmons, and Jared Uthoff.

Alexander, a West High product, led his team with 25 points in the winning effort. Clemmons and Uthoff each chimed in with 17 points en route to their team’s fourth-straight victory.

McCabe’s team stays unbeaten

The other late contest showcased Mike Gesell’s team taking on coach Kevin Lehman’s lineup led by Iowa’s Zach McCabe and Gabe Olaseni. McCabe’s team pulled out the victory, winning by a count of 118-96.

The first half was a highly contested battle. Both teams went basket-for-basket, with McCabe’s squad holding a 58-57 advantage at halftime.  

Olaseni and his teammates separated themselves in the second half behind an effective inside-out game. McCabe’s team started pulling ahead after he connected on two high-arcing treys, extending the lead to 13 points. Iowa’s backup center put the game out of reach after throwing down a series of thunderous dunks with under seven minutes to go.

Jok, Woodbury Shine

Sunday afternoon’s opening contest was highlighted by the performance of incoming freshman Peter Jok and his teammates. Jok’s team beat coach Ron Nove’s squad, 101-88, which was without Hawkeyes Darius Stokes and Aaron White.

The game’s tone was established early in the first half when William Penn’s Michael Aldeman mauled Adam Woodbury in the backcourt after he came down with a rebound. Aldeman’s play garnered a foul and generated a displeased response from the crowd.

Tension between the two sides continued as the first half was filled with physical play and numerous foul calls.

“It is what it is; they have to play me somehow,” Woodbury said. “I expect physical play every time I step on the court, and I’m going to see that every night in the Big Ten.”

Coach Ray Swetalla’s team held a 56-47 lead going into intermission, thanks to Woodbury’s tough interior play and Jok’s lethal outside shot. Woodbury rebounded (9 in total), blocked shots, finished in the paint, and had a monster dunk off a ex-Hawk Jason Price pass, despite being hacked and double-teamed all afternoon.

Woodbury finished the game with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Fellow Hawkeye Kyle Meyer added 20 points and 9 boards. It was business as usual for Jok, who effortlessly drained 4-of-5 from deep en route a 32-point performance.

“Everybody is going to play his hardest against you every time you get on the court,” Jok said. “You just have to bring your A-game every day.”