The Lowdown

The ISU men’s basketball team overcame a slow shooting start in the first half, including shooting 0-10 from behind the 3-point line, to run away from Baylor in a 79-71 win. 

The Cyclones out-rebounded Baylor 39-35 with the height disadvantage and won the game from the free throw line, making 25-30 compared the Baylor’s 11-17.

Turning Point

With 7:02 left in the second half, Iowa State went on an 8-1 run, which was enough of a cushion, to finish the game comfortably. The run included a Will Clyburn layup, two Bubu Palo free throws after a hard foul, a Chris Babb layup and a Clyburn jumper. 

X Factor

Will Clyburn — This past week’s Big 12 Rookie of the Week scored 28 points and brought down 10 rebounds in a winning effort against Baylor. 

By The Numbers

0-13 — Iowa State started the night 0-13 from behind the 3-point line. At half the mark was 0-10 and continued to 0-13 until Georges Niang hit the first one  with 16:24 left in the second half. 

25-30 — The Cyclones made 25 of their 30 free throw attempts during the game against Baylor. Previously, Iowa State was shooting 68 percent from the charity stripe. 

20 — Tyrus McGee’s streak of games with at least one 3-pointer. The streak came to an end tonight.

18 — Chris Babb’s streak of games with at least one 3-pointer. The streak ended tonight.  

8 — Melvin Ejim’s eight rebounds tonight moved him into 18th on Iowa State’s career chart at 638.

Quotables

“He just backed up. We guard him at the 3-point line and I think he went to the NBA and beyond line.” — Baylor coach Scott Drew on Will Clyburn’s game tonight. 

“I just think we have a bunch of guys here that are willing to grind out wins no matter if someone scores 30 points or someone scores four points, we all want to win really badly.” — Georges Niang on his teams effort tonight. 

“Being aggressive and taking what the defense gave me. My teammates were trying to find me and trying to get me open, so that’s basically what it was.” —  Will Clyburn on is double-double tonight. 

They’re all important, there’s no doubt about that, but this was a huge game for us. We felt that we should’ve won the other night against Oklahoma State, obviously we had some tough things happen to us down the stretch, but our guys battled back once again and they continue to do that throughout this year.” — Hoiberg on the important of tonight’s game and his team’s resiliency.