Mike Gesell scores 19, hits from long range as Iowa beats Western Kentucky 63-55 in Cancun
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Mike Gesell scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, to help Iowa beat Western Kentucky 63-55 on Tuesday night in the Cancun Challenge semifinals.
Melsahn Basabe added 11 points, eight of them after halftime, for the Hawkeyes, who shot 47 percent from the floor and improved to 5-0 for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Iowa, which never trailed, also moved to 18-0 over the past three seasons when holding its opponent to 60 points or fewer.
T.J. Price scored 16 points and Jamal Crook had 14 for the Hilltoppers (2-2), and Brandon Harris pulled down 10 rebounds. Western Kentucky shot just 33 percent from the field, including 5 of 21 on 3-point attempts.
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In Wednesday's Riviera Division final, Iowa will face Wichita State, which beat DePaul earlier Tuesday. Western Kentucky will face DePaul in the consolation game.
Tuesday's game was the first-ever meeting between Iowa and Western Kentucky.