The Iowa State men’s basketball team used good free-throw shooting and solid rebounding to defeat the Jackson State Tigers 85-63 Monday night. The Cyclones advance to 3-0 on the season for the first time since 2000.

Iowa State made 25 of 29 attempts at the charity stripe and out-rebounded Jackson State 47-32. Jake Sullivan, who scored a game-high 23 points, also grabbed eight rebounds and made all eight of his free throws.

“My goal coming in was to get seven rebounds in the game and I got eight,” Sullivan said. “I like to set little goals like that for myself. I’ve been doing a very poor job rebounding.”

Sullivan also had three assists, two steals and made three of six from beyond the arc in 35 minutes of play.

“I liked his intensity from start to finish,” head coach Larry Eustachy said.

Despite coming away with the victory, Eustachy wasn’t satisfied, as he was looking for a better, more consistent effort from his team.

“I know we took a step backwards tonight — it was a pretty dull effort, I thought,” he said. “We just didn’t bring it as a whole — we weren’t right. I haven’t pushed them hard enough.”

Iowa State took control early and led 45-27 at the half. Junior point guard sensation Tim Barnes had his first turnover of the season as he scored 13 points and dished the ball six times.

“I’m not surprised,” Eustachy said of Barnes’ recent success. “He’s a hell of a talent.”

Cliff Walker led the way for Jackson State with 16 points. Jamal Ward pitched in 12, making four of five three point attempts.

Jackson Vroman was the second-leading scorer for Iowa State with 14 points. The team’s leading rebounder also grabbed nine boards. Freshman Adam Haluska scored 10 and grabbed eight boards.

“I’m starting to get a lot more comfortable,” Haluska said. “I’m having fun, I’m not playing scared.”

Marcus Jefferson rounded out the double-digit scorers for Iowa State, pitching in 10 points off the bench to go along with Omar Bynum’s eight bench points.

Andrew Skoglund ignited the crowd in the second half with two blocked shots and four rebounds in ten minutes of play.

“I thought Skogs was impressive,” Eustachy said.

Eustachy knows harder challenges lie ahead and plans on working his team harder in the coming week.

“We’re disappointed we’re playing in spurts right now. But the bottom line is we’re 3-0,” Sullivan said. “I’m happy we got the win.”

Iowa State will kick off the Cyclone Challenge this Friday night at home against Western Illinois.