Iowa State’s big men stepped up in a big way Tuesday.

The Cyclones recorded their best offensive performance of the season, led by three frontcourt players who reached double digits in the 83-59 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Coach Tim Floyd’s game plan of getting the ball down low proved effective as the forward/center trio of Klay Edwards, Paul Shirley and Marcus Fizer combined for more than half of the Cyclones’ points.

Fizer led ISU with 17, while Edwards added 14 and Shirley scored a career-high 13. Both Edwards and Shirley credited their shots to strong play from the guards.

“We had better ball movement tonight,” Edwards said. “Our guards handled the ball better and moved it around quicker, and there were some good screens inside which opened up the lanes.”

“We definitely have to give credit to the guards for getting us the ball, because without that we wouldn’t score at all. They helped a lot in getting the offense flowing,” Shirley added.

Although he did not start in the game, Shirley paced the Cyclones in the first half, shooting 4-5 from the field and 1-2 from the line. He finished with a team-high 29 minutes and snagged a career-high nine rebounds.

“Paul Shirley had a terrific game for us,” Floyd said. “I don’t know what we would have done without him in the first half. He was by far the most active player in the first 30 minutes of the game.”

Shirley said the game was his best since he came to ISU two years ago from Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kan.

“Good things happen when you play hard, I’ve found out over the years,” Shirley said. “You start diving for the ball and going for more rebounds and you score more — it all ties together.”

Edwards, who pulled down 10 rebounds against the Golden Lions, leads the Cyclones in total scoring this season with 48. Fizer, who shot 7-14 from the field Tuesday, is second with 43.

Edwards said the strong offensive play by the other big men on the team has taken some of the pressure off of him to score.

“If somebody’s having a bad night, there’s two other guys that are very capable of putting the ball in the whole,” he said. “It’s very encouraging.”

Another advantage on the offensive end for the Cyclones was freshman forward Martin Rancik, who started his first game of the season.

He missed the exhibition season and opening game because of a foot injury.

Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Rancik shot 50 percent from both the field and the line, scoring a season-high eight points.

“I was really excited out there tonight. I didn’t think I would start,” Rancik said. “But I want to improve much more in making smart decisions. I’m trying to make a lot happen at once, which doesn’t work.”

Rancik said it was a bonus for the team having several offensive weapons on the floor.

“We just have to keep feeding it [down low] because Marcus and Klay are unbelievable down there. Every time they touch it we can score,” he said.

Floyd said that Rancik tried to make too much happen once he receives the ball. He also said that holding onto the ball too long, nervousness and tentative play contributed to the freshman’s five turnovers.

Floyd said Rancik will have to learn to “turn down that Babe Ruth pass inside and make the safe pass.”

Praised by Floyd for his offensive ability inside and outside of the lane, the 6′ 9″ Rancik is billed as an effective three-point shooter.

He launched his first three of the season against Pine Bluff but missed.

“Hopefully, next time I take one, I’ll make it,” Rancik joked. “But I need to work on taking smarter shots.”

ISU faces Texas Southern in the Cyclone Challenge at 8 p.m. Friday in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones will also compete Saturday against either Southwest Texas or Coppin State.