Sophomore guard Brandon Hawkins stood on the left baseline before the men’s exhibition game vs (Next Level) Global Sports on Wednesday night and drained jumper after jumper. Very few shots found their way out of the cylinder, and very rarely did a shot touch the rim on its way down.

Perhaps it was a premonition of things to come as the Cyclones downed Next Level 85-72, or maybe it was an indication of what Cyclone fans can expect from Hawkins and the rest of team the entire season.

Hawkins made all four of his field goal attempts and hit 4 of 5 from the line for 12 points while recording a game-high six assists in the win.

“I was really impressed with the play of Hawkins,” said ISU head basketball coach Larry Eustachy.

“That was the best we have seen him, because he really played within himself.”

Leading the way offensively for the Cyclones with a team-high 16 points was senior forward Martin Rancik.

Rancik has been hampered by injury most of his career, and played 26 minutes of pain-free basketball in the win.

Eleven players saw action for the Cyclones with preseason All-American Jamaal Tinsley garnering the most minutes at 30.

Tinsley and backcourt mate Kantrail Horton both had a solid nights with Tinsley producing 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Horton added 12 points in 29 minutes of playing time.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the night was freshmen guard Jake Sullivan who came into the game early and scored 10 points in the win.

“I was really impressed with Sullivan,” Eustachy said. “He came in with a lot of confidence and felt like he belonged here.”

Iowa State started off slow in the win falling behind most of the first half before evening the score at the break, 34-34.

The Cyclones came out in the second half a little more energized taking the lead on a Sullivan jumper at the 15:46 mark which started an 8-0 run. The rest of the way out the lead was never relinquished.

Overall, Eustachy was happy with the exhibition and how things turned out.

“Our team is really defined,” he said.

“We know who our eight or nine players are going to be. We just need to get our confidence up and be more physical.”