The paint under the baskets at Hilton Coliseum has belonged to Melvin Ejim in recent years. If Dustin Hogue has anything to say about it, Ejim has new company.

Hogue set career highs with 22 points and 16 rebounds for No. 17 Iowa State (6-0) as it beat Auburn (4-2) 99-70 on Monday at Hilton Coliseum. Ejim has often joked that Hogue likes to steal his rebounds. He might be on to something.

“I’m serious, man; he’s a beast down there,” Ejim said. “Today’s just a perfect example of what Dustin does. He goes in there, he goes hard every game and he’s opportunistic. He gets those rebounds; he can knock down his shot.

“I think I’ve got to turn my intensity up to keep up with this kid.”

Hogue reached his second-career double-double just 11:29 into the game. He also became the first Cyclone since Ejim to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds.

“The ball just kept bouncing my way,” Hogue said. “It seemed like everywhere I was, the ball was coming my way. I just tried to keep up with it.”

Iowa State trailed 12-5 early in the first half, struggling to hit shots as it watched Ejim and forward Georges Niang get into foul trouble. Hogue’s consistent rebounds sparked the ISU offense, which went on a 42-16 run in the final 14-plus minutes of the first half to take control of the game.

After the Cyclones started 0-of-8 from 3-point range, they finished the game 13-of-35 from beyond the arc as rebounds and a fast break offense helped space on the floor.

“Dustin got that thing off and that really got our transition game going,” said ISU coach Fred Hoiberg of his team’s first half run. “We got easy baskets, it opened up the floor and that’s what finally got those shots to drop.”

Behind Hogue’s performance, Iowa State out-rebounded Auburn 47-36. The Cyclones got help on the boards and inside the paint from Ejim, who picked up his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

“With [Ejim and Hogue] and DeAndre [Kane] out there together, you’ve three elite rebounders,” Hoiberg said. “You’ve got three guys that go there every single time.”

Through six games, Hogue is averaging 9.8 rebounds per game. His secret on Monday, Dec. 2, was the ball bouncing his way. There might have been more to it.

“I’ve always focused more on playing hard,” Hogue said. “I think if I bring more energy to every game then I just get more results.”

Aside from Hogue, Hoiberg was looking in one other direction, too. Iowa State assisted 28 of its 33 shots.

“The thing that I look at, I look at 28 assists on 33 baskets,” Hoiberg said. “That’s an unbelievable stat right there. If we continue to play like that, we’re going to be a pretty darn tough team to beat.”