The No. 13 ISU men’s basketball team started off the Big 12 Conference schedule with a 73-62 win against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday. 

After Iowa State led comfortably 44-29 at halftime, the Red Raiders surged back on a 21-6 run over the first 7:30 of the second half, which tied the game at 50.

The Red Raiders put Iowa State temporarily out of sync with its 2-3 zone while making all four of the first 3-pointers and tied the game at 50. 

From there Iowa State jumped ahead on an 8-0 run of its own, before salting away the game from the free throw line. The Cyclones scored nine of their last 11 points during the final 5:47 of the game from the charity stripe. Iowa State finished 24-of- 29 from the free throw line, compared to 6-of-8 for Texas Tech. 

Four Cyclones were in double digits, led by Georges Niang with his 17 points, Melvin Ejim with 16, Deandre Kane with 15 and freshman Monte Morris with 11. 

Niang has reached double figures for the the Cyclones in 11 of the 13 games, with the two-game lull coming against UMKC and Auburn. Niang has also scored more than 20 points in four of the last seven games. 

Morris scored his 11 points efficiently, hitting three of his five shots and making all five of his free throw attempts, while adding three assists with no turnovers. 

Iowa State next plays. No. 9 Baylor on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.