The Lowdown

The second time around there was no trap to be found as Iowa State overcame a slow start to push past Texas Tech on Saturday.

When the Cyclones (19-8, 9-5 Big 12) faced the Red Raiders (9-16, 2-12) in January, they fell 56-51 in a game prior to one against then-No. 11 Kansas State. With No. 9 Kansas arriving in Ames on Monday, Iowa State avoided a trap game the second time beating Texas Tech, 86-66.

Iowa State was led by guards Will Clyubrn and Chris Babb who each scored 17 points. The Cyclones had four players in double figures in addition to Clyburn and Babb with Melvin Ejim and Tyrus McGee each scoring 13 points. 

X Factor

Melvin Ejim — Despite picking up his fourth foul with 14:51 remaining in the game, Ejim helped the Cyclones begin to take control of the game before his exit for much of the second half. The junior recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the win. 

Turning Point

Tied 26-26 with 4:36 remaining in the first half, Iowa State finished the half on a 10-3 run to take a 36-29 lead into the break. The Cyclones never looked back from there, extending their lead early in the second half to pull away.

During the 10-3 run, Iowa State had a five-point possession as ISU guard Chris Babb hit a 3-pointer while ISU forward Melvin Ejim was fouled under the basket after the play. Ejim hit both free throws and Babb hit another 3-pointer on the team’s next possession. 

By the Numbers

11 — The high production from beyond the arc continued Saturday as Iowa State made 11 3-pointers, including five from Babb. It marked the eighth time in the last nine games that the Cyclones have made at least 10 3s. 

43 — Iowa State out-rebounded Texas Tech 43-31 on Saturday. In addition to Ejim bringing in 13 rebounds, the Cyclones got six rebounds from both Clyburn and Babb. 

46 — A total of 46 fouls were called in Saturday’s game, including 30 fouls in the second half alone. The Cyclones ended with 21 fouls while the Red Raiders were called for 25 fouls.

Quotables

“I think it was the Oklahoma State game, a couple of shots started falling and I’ve just had a lot of confidence since then. I’ve definitely been getting a lot of shots up extra after practice and I always get shots up during practice. Now I’m just really flowing in the offense.” — ISU guard Chris Babb on his recent 3-point shooting streak. The senior made five 3s on Saturday. 

“I don’t think this could have been a trap game for us. This was a team that we went down there and they beat us. We circled this on our calendar and we knew this was a game that we really wanted to go out and play hard and beat these guys.” — ISU forward Melvin Ejim on Texas Tech being a trap game before Iowa State plays No. 9 Kansas. 

“Babb’s big thing is confidence. When he’s out there playing with confidence and playing with a swagger, he’s pretty darn good. He lost it a little bit I thought at Baylor [on Wednesday], but then he bounced back with a great day of practice yesterday and stepped up and knocked down shots today.” — ISU coach Fred Hoiberg on Babb’s recent offensive stretch. 

“I thought the end of the first half was definitely key for us. We got out in transition, Babb hit couple 3s there to end the half. Melvin gets the foul — banked one of the free throws in, hit the other one. Finally we got a little pace in the game and that definitely played to our favor.” — Hoiberg on the Cyclones’ 10-3 run to end the first half.