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(AP) --  Iowa point guard Cully Payne is leaving the program after sitting out most of last season with a hernia.

Payne, a native of Schaumburg, Ill., started all 32 games as a freshman for the Hawkeyes in 2009-10 and averaged 8.7 points and just under four assists a game.

Payne missed all but the first five games in 2010-11 and later underwent hernia surgery.

Iowa spokesman Matt Weitzel says Payne has asked for and been granted a release from his scholarship.

Junior Bryce Cartwright emerged in Payne's absence with 10.9 points and 5.9 assists per game last season. Cartwright was at his best in Big Ten play with a league-high 123 assists in 18 games.

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