He just needed to keep shooting.

ISU guard Sean Haluska started the year 0-of-26 in 3-pointers and was just 8-of-44 from the field in his first 17 games of the season. In the last seven, he has hit 8-of-13 from three-point range, including a career-high 12 points off the bench in the second half of last Saturday’s 60-52 win over Nebraska.

“I think the change has been staying really confident with my shot,” Haluska said. “I’ve always been confident with my shot, but just coming in and shooting extra has been a big thing for me – and has really been helping me out.”

After scoring an Iowa State and Big 12 record-low 11 points in the first half against Nebraska, Iowa State came back with a season-high 49 points in the second half, thanks in large part to Haluska’s career high in points and three treys.

Assistant coach Jeff Rutter said that, while he encouraged Haluska to keep shooting outside of practice, it came down to a matter of Haluska helping himself out.

“It’s more on what Sean’s done with himself than what anyone else has really helped him with,” Rutter said. “He’s taken it upon himself to put more time into his game, to schedule some extra shooting sessions into his game. He’s put the extra effort in, and it’s paid dividends for him.”

Early in the season, Haluska, a junior transfer from Indian Hills Community College, said he hadn’t lost confidence despite the shooting slump. He reiterated that on Thursday, as did Rutter.

“I really thought he’d come out of it. He’s a proven very good shooter,” Rutter said. “The other thing is he was taking good shots, he wasn’t taking bad shots. When a good shooter continues to take good shots, positive things are going to happen. That’s what it took.”

Haluska keyed the comeback win over the Huskers, which snapped a three-game losing streak for the Cyclones that was part of a stretch where they lost six of seven overall. With the win, Iowa State heads to Texas Tech (14-11, 5-6 Big 12) on Saturday with just a little bit more confidence.

“If we can match that intensity on the road, I think we’re going to come out with a victory,” Haluska said.

“That’s been our biggest test, is winning on the road, so hopefully we can come out with a road win on Saturday.”

Iowa State has only been able to grab one road win this season, a 71-64 overtime win at Oregon State on Nov. 30. The Cyclones are 0-5 in Big 12 play on the road, something Haluska said the team understands it must correct.

To do so on Saturday, they need to stop Texas Tech’s motion offense, led by the three-guard set of Martin Zeno, who’s averaging 16 points per game, and Alan Voskuil and John Roberson, who both average more than 10 points per game.

“We need to try to eliminate as much of their touches and every shot, try to contest it – pretty much those kind of players, we can’t let the ball get into their hands as much, and eliminate what they’re good at,” junior guard Bryan Petersen said.

The Cyclones have faced good guard play in the Big 12 earlier in the season, including from Texas’ A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin.

“The more and more good players you play against, the more confidence you’re going to get, because you know in the back of your mind, ‘All right, I’ve already gone against these guys, what have I learned last time against those type of players and what do I need to do this time around to be successful?'” Petersen said.

Iowa State (14-12, 4-7), is currently in ninth place in the Big 12 with five games left – three on the road – before the Big 12 Tournament begins. While Haluska and Petersen insist they are taking it one game at a time, a run toward a .500 conference record could lend itself to an entry into postseason play in the NCAA Tournament or, more likely, the National Invitation Tournament – something both players keep in the back of their minds.

“If we can get on a big run, you never know what can happen at the end of the season,” Haluska said.

Iowa State at Texas Tech

When: Saturday, 12:45 p.m.

TV.: WOI Channel 5

Notes: Iowa State snapped a three-game losing streak with last week’s 60-52 comeback win over Nebraska. The win was Greg McDermott’s 250th career victory. Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight recently replaced his retired father, Bob, as coach, and has led the Red Raiders to a 2-3 record since he took over, including an 87-69 victory over Colorado on Wednesday.