MBB: Iowa State stuns No. 5 Kansas State in overtime
Kansas State forward Dominique Sutton and ISU forward Marquis Gilstrap dive after the ball during the first half the game Saturday, in Manhattan, Kan. Photo: Orlin Wagner/Associated Press
March 7, 2010
The 2009-’10 Iowa State basketball season has been characterized by a myraid string of close losses.
But in a game that nearly joined the collection, the Cyclones prevailed in a stunning 85-82 overtime upset of No. 5 Kansas State on Saturday.
The victory was one of the biggest wins in coach Greg McDermott’s four year tenure at Iowa State, and snapped a streak of 21 straight losses to Top-25 ranked teams.
“We were relentless,” said forward Craig Brackins after the game. “We were relentless. We didn’t stop. We didn’t let things get to us.”
Iowa State had led by as much as 11 points in the first half, but Kansas State stormed back in the second half to force overtime. Thanks in part to a shooting percentage
of 50 percent and several cluth free throws, the Cyclones were able to hold off the hometown Wildcats for Iowa State’s second Big 12 road win since 2007.
“If we shot the ball like we did today all year we are talking about a much different team, because we finally made some shots today,” McDermott said. “We beat a very talented and tough team and I am so proud of these guys.”
The Cyclones were able to close out the game despite forward Craig Brackins fouling out with 2:25 left in the second half. Before being forced to watch from the sidelines, Brackins posted a team-leading 19 points and 12 rebounds.
With Brackins out, Iowa State turned to guard Diante Garrett to provide on-court leadership.
“Everytime he came down the court I told him ‘DG you have to take over. You have to be the leader of this team’,” Brackins said.
Garrett responded by scoring five of his eight points in overtime, and fearlessly guided the Cyclone offense with eight assists.
Apart from Brackins, Iowa State had four other players score in double figures, including Scott Christopherson with 18 points and Marquis Gilstrap with 13 points, 13 rebounds.
Saturday’s season-finale win put Iowa State at 15-16 on year and 4-12 in the Big 12, matching the team’s regular season record from last season.
The win also gives the 11th-seeded Cyclones a boost heading into their Wednesday night showdown with the sixth seeded Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 conference tournament.
