South Iowa News

The University of Iowa Student-Athlete Academic Services department on Dec. 14 named sophomore men’s basketball player Keegan Murray and senior field hockey player Anthe Nijziel November’s Student-Athletes of the Month, according to a school issued press release.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound Murray, a native of Cedar Rapids, earned the honor for being the nation’s leading scorer during the month of November.

The son of former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray averaged 24.6 points per game to help steer Iowa towards an unblemished 7-0 record — the program’s best start since the 2013-2014 season — as of Dec. 14, according to the release.

“Murray was the first Iowa player since Bruce King in 1977 to post 25-plus points and grab 20-plus rebounds in a game and the first to notch 20 or more rebounds in a game since Greg Brunner in 2006,” the release said.

Nijziel, who came to Iowa City from Eindhoven, Netherlands, was recognized for leading the Hawkeyes to its 19th NCAA Elite Eight appearance overall, the release said.

The Student-Athlete of the Month honor is among the many accolades accorded to Nijziel including but not limited to first-team NFHCA All-West Region, NFHCA West Region Player of the Year and first team All-Big Ten.