COLUMBIA, Mo. — To win on the road in the Big 12, a team must do a variety of things. The most important on this laundry list is overcoming adversity, and Iowa State had plenty to overcome in its workmanlike 72-62 win over Missouri in Columbia.

First there were the technical fouls. After Missouri coach Quin Snyder had already been assessed one earlier in the game, Jamaal Tinsley, after making a tough shot in which he thought he was fouled, had a few choice words for the nearest official.

The ref then teed him up, and Missouri nailed the two free throws to close to within two points at 29-27 with 4:02 left in the first half. The technical, Tinsley’s second in as many games, gave Tinsley a seat on the bench and an earful from coach Larry Eustachy.

After a basket by Marcus Fizer, the Tigers (14-7, 7-2) then went on an 11-2 run to end the half ahead 38-35.

The final play of the game’s initial stanza was full of controversy. Missouri inbounded the ball with :03 left in the half, and Keyon Dooling, after getting away with a travel, hit a shot that TV replays later showed was after the buzzer to give Missouri a three-point half-time lead.

Eustachy, already upset that his team had been called for 13 first-half fouls, went nuts and got a technical.

“We had 13 fouls at halftime. Normally our team has 12-14 for the entire game. I was trying to make a point to the officials, and unfortunately it got me a technical,” Eustachy said.

So despite playing a very good first half overall, Iowa State (20-3, 8-1) went into intermission trailing 38-35.

“We dug a hole. Jamaal got a technical, Larry got a technical and we had to find a way to dig ourselves out, and we did that,” Eustachy said.

When Brian Grawer hit both free throws to give Missouri a 40-35 lead to start the half, it appeared the second half could be a long one.

However, that’s when the Cyclones showed their heart that has allowed them to challenge for the Big 12 title and ultimately gave them the win tonight.

Down 44-39 with 16 minutes left in the half, Iowa State went on a 9-0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Kantrail Horton and three assists from Jamaal Tinsley, that gave them a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the contest.

“I just can’t get Kantrail Horton to shoot. Finally I had to call him over and tell him that if he wasn’t going to shoot, that I was going to take him out. I’m glad he started shooting,” Eustachy said.

However, that’s not to say the Cyclones exactly coasted to victory. A Keyon Dooling three-pointer made it 57-56 with 7:10 left in the game and sent the capacity crowd of 13,460 into a frenzy.

But once again Iowa State responded in kind, as Tinsley nailed a tough 10-foot leaner to restore the lead back to three.

“Coach told me that if I got a step on my man, that I could take the shot, and I did. It was a little jumper near the lane,” Tinsley said.

The Cyclones then scored on three consecutive offensive rebounds, by Shirley, Tinsley and Fizer respectively and capped the 10-0 run with a lay in by Michael Nurse.

The run made it 67-56 with 2:50 left, and Iowa State made five of six free throws late to ice it. Iowa State had its third road win in four tries in the Big 12.

Fizer ended up with 28 points, 18 of them in the first half, and 12 rebounds to pace the Cyclones. Also coming up big was Jamaal Tinsley. The junior point guard scored 15 points, handed out eight assists, grabbed six rebounds and made several key plays on both ends of the floor that helped lead Iowa State to the win.

“Jamaal has this team behind him, and that says a lot. These guys all have a lot of heart,” Eustachy said.

A big key was the battle of the boards, which Iowa State won 36-24. Along with Fizer’s 12 caroms, Stevie Johnson complemented his 10 points with 10 rebounds.

“We knew we had to rebound well and keep them off the glass. If they got offensive rebounds, we couldn’t win, so we did our best to box out and get to the ball,” Johnson said.

Missouri was led by freshman Kareem Rush, who scored 17 points in 30 minutes off the bench.

“He’s a great player, probably the freshman of the year. He’s so talented; he really can do it all,” Eustachy said.

The Cyclones now sit atop the Big 12 with a record of 8-1 along with Oklahoma State. But Iowa State knows now is not the time to rest on its laurels.

“We have a game Saturday night with a very tough Nebraska team, and we’re going to have to come out ready to play. This is nice, but we’re back to business tomorrow,” Johnson said.

Eustachy, known around the ISU athletic department as “Dr. Doom” doesn’t seem to be impressed quite yet.

“We’re short, we’re limited, we’re small and we have to stay healthy. But we’re tough, and we have a lot of heart,” Eustachy said.

While not exactly e=mc2, that equation has gotten the Cyclones a 20-3 record and national respect. Starting Saturday night against Nebraska, Iowa State will see if it can tough its way to a Big 12 title.