Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap shot a combined 17 percent (4-for-23) from the field, but Iowa State was able to defeat Chicago State 72-50 on Sunday night.

It was far from pretty, but the Cyclones overcame several large scoring lulls to move to 2-0 this season.

;The reality of it is that if Marquis and Craig combine to go 4-of-23, it’s going to look a little sluggish for us,” said Cyclones coach Greg McDermott. “Those guys have proven over time in practice that they are very capable scorers. Everybody has a night like this once in a while. Unfortunately for us they both had it on the same night.”

Iowa State got out to a rapid 6-0 start, and it appeared to be a just matter of time before the Cyclones put the game out of reach early on. But as the Cyclones failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, Chicago State was able to keep within several points of with its opponent before falling behind 31-19 in the closing minutes of the half.

Brackins had only four points by halftime (1-for-7 from the field, 2-2 from the free throw line), while Gilstrap had yet to find his way on to the score sheet.

Gilstrap’s first-half performance left him dejected, heading into the locker room.

“I felt like I had let my team down in the first half, and I didn’t feel like I was getting enough rebounds,” Gilstrap said. “I felt like, in the second half, I had to come out with a different energy.”

That different energy was felt immediately in the second half.

Gilstrap scored Iowa State’s first six points, coming out of the locker. He capped that run off with a thundering dunk that sent the Cyclone student section into a frenzy — an emotion that was devoid from the announced crowd of 13,260 for most of the night.

On top of the high-flying antics, Gilstrap pulled down 11 rebounds in the second half — six of which were from the offensive side. Gilstrap ended the game with 15 boards and 11 points.

The outburst from Gilstrap provided a boost for the rest of the squad.

“When you’ve got a guy like Marquis, who comes out in the second half and starts dominating the offensive glass and dunking on people like he can, it just sets the tone for everybody,” said sophomore guard Scott Christopherson, who led the Cyclones with 12 points.

Although he struggled to score, taking only seven points, Brackins was able to help out in other ways. Brackins pulled down eight rebounds and blocked six of Iowa State’s 10 shots.

The scoring lapses continued for Iowa State in the second half, but the Cyclones bettered their first-half shooting percentage (39.3 percent, 11-for-28), with 42.3 percent (11-for-26).

“We were able to muster up just enough offense on a night that we weren’t making shots and finishing in the paint like we normally do,” McDermott said.

Iowa State allowed Chicago State as close as 14 points in the second half but led by at least 20 for the majority of the half.

Although Gilstrap and Brackins struggled, Iowa State found contributors from its bench, who scored 34 points. Ten of the 12 Cyclones who saw playing time tonight found their way on to the scoreboard.

The Cyclones face a brief turnaround, as they are back in action on Tuesday night against Drake in Des Moines.

 

Dendy out

Junior forward LaRon Dendy was not suited up for tonight’s game after he suffered a sprained right knee in practice. The coaching staff expects Dendy to be ready by next week’s Chicago Invitational Tournament. Dendy was with the team on the bench tonight and did not appear to be limping severely. The 6-foot-9 junior college transfer made his Cyclone debut last Friday against Idaho State, recording 16 points and seven rebounds.

 

NBA All Star in attendance

Utah Jazz All Star forward Carlos Boozer, who is the older brother of ISU junior guard Charles Boozer, was in attendance for the game. Tonight was the first time in two years Boozer has been able to see his brother play. Charles saw 14 minutes on the court and notched four points and two rebounds.

“He’s come a long way, and, hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see him play a lot more this season,” Carlos said.

The Utah Jazz star said he flew in today and will fly back to rejoin his teammates in Salt Lake City, Utah following the game.

Although the NBA season prevents him from always keeping current with the latest Cyclone news, Boozer had high praise for this year’s Cyclone squad.

“They’re going to have a great team. I haven’t had much of a chance to watch them play,” Boozer said. “But I hope they have the chance to be a contender.”

Boozer is in the start of his eighth season in the NBA and is averaging 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Jazz this season.