IOWA CITY — Iowa’s perimeter shooting stalled at times but the Hawkeyes still managed to open the season with its third straight win, 66-36 against Howard tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes (3-0) were dreadful from 3-point range,hitting just 4-of-21 shots. But Iowa countered with a strong defensive effort, holding Howard (0-2) to just 14-of-52 shooting from the floor. Iowa was 18-of-28 on shots inside the 3-point arc.

Devyn Marble scored 20 points, hitting 9-of-15 shots and two 3-pointers. He also had two rebounds and two assists. Aaron White scored 16 points and went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. He added eight rebounds. Eric May scored eight points off the bench.

FIRST-HALF STORY

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Devyn Marble (4) puts up a shot over Howard Bison guard/forward Prince Okoroh (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

The Hawkeyes missed 8-of-10 3-point shots against Howard’s 2-3 zone. The shots were open, they just didn’t fall.

However Devyn Marble was solid throughout the half for Iowa, knocking down 6-of-9 shots for a game-high 15 points. Marble, who played 16 minutes, also grabbed a rebound, had an assist and a steal.

Overall Iowa shot 50 percent from the floor (14-of-28) and have yet to be seriously challenged. Howard has committed eight turnovers and sank just 6-of-25 shots.

Eric May has six points for Iowa off the bench. The Hawkeyes have played 10 players so far. Iowa has outrebounded the Bison 21-15 and has 10 assists to Howard’s one.

The game is the first of two preliminary Cancun Challenge games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa will play host to Gardner-Webb on Saturday.