COL BKB: Iowa 67, St. Louis 58

IOWA CITY, Iowa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Pierre Pierce helped hold St. Louis at bay down the stretch Friday night as No. 18 Iowa downed the Billikens, 67-58.

Pierce scored 24 points in leading the Hawkeyes to their ninth straight win and an overall record of 12-1. Adam Haluska added 13 points and Jeff Horner had 12.

Izik Ohanon scored 15 for St. Louis (2-10).

Iowa trailed by three points five minutes deep into the second half, but then went on a 10-2 run.

Pierce scored six straight during a later 10-0 surge that put the game away. Iowa shot 56 percent from the field during the final 20 minutes.