The Lowdown

On senior night, the ISU men’s basketball team helped solidify it’s NCAA Tournament resume with a 87-76 win over No. 13 Oklahoma State.

The Cyclones only went 7-22 from behind the arc, but made up for it making 26 free throws and also finishing with 21 assists on 27 made shots. 

Iowa State was led by Will Clyburn, who had 20 points on his senior night along with five rebounds and five assists. 

Turning Point

With the score 70-68 with 4:22 left, ISU senior Will Clyburn hit a 3-pointer to spur an 8-0 run that Iowa State never looked back from. Clyburn’s shot was followed by a Lucious drive and layup and a Tyrus McGee 3 to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 10. 

Clyburn’s 3-pointer also was the 294th 3-pointer of the year, breaking the record from last year’s mark of 293. 

X Factor

Georges Niang — On the senior night of six ISU players, Niang was the key. Hey helped start two runs in the first half, scoring eight in a 13-0 run and four in a 10-0 run in the first half. 

Niang finished the game with 18 points, and two rebounds. Niang also hit free throws with under a minute left to help ice the game.

By The Numbers

294 — Iowa State finished the night was 295 total 3-pointers, but 294 was the mark that broke last year’s record of 293. Will Clyburn hit the record-breaker. 

21 — Iowa State finished with 21 assists on 27 made baskets against Oklahoma State Wednesday night. In the loss against Oklahoma, the team only managed eight assists on 23 made baskets. 

26 — The Cyclones made 26 of their 35 free throws against Oklahoma State, icing the game down the stretch.

38 — Oklahoma State did score 22 second-chance points, but Iowa State out-rebounded the Cowboys 38-30 and held the advantage for points in the paint.

Postgame Chatter

“I can’t really explain it. It was the first time my mom got to see me play here at Iowa State, period. I had a lot of emotions.” — Booker on his emotional senior night moment with his mom.

“We knew they were going to come out like a caged lion.” — OSU coach Travis Ford on what they expected from Iowa State.

“We just came together. We knew we’ve come too far, worked too hard. We’ve all sat out and been through everything together. So we knew we had to come together to get these wins.” — ISU senior Chris Babb on his team coming together after the Oklahoma game. 

“All our seniors I thought had huge impacts on this win tonight. What they’ve been doing for this program for the two years is really special. For getting this program back on the map and really giving us a boost. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys for the way they went out for their last game at Hilton.” — ISU coach Fred Hoiberg on his senior players and their efforts tonight.