Iowa State storms back to beat Illinois

Junior Michael Jacobson readies himself to take a shot from the free throw line during Iowa State’s season opening game vs. Alabama State on Nov. 6 at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones won 79-53. 

Aaron Marner

Iowa State’s second game in Maui didn’t go as planned for the first 20 minutes.

The Cyclones (4-1, 0-0 Big 12) utilized a big second-half run to knock off Illinois (1-3, 0-0 Big Ten) by a final score of 84-68.

Iowa State went into the halftime break trailing 39-34. Redshirt junior Michael Jacobson and redshirt senior Marial Shayok both led Iowa State with 10 points and four rebounds before halftime.

In the second half, Iowa State, led by freshman Talen Horton-Tucker, came ready to play.

Illinois scored on its first possession of the half, but the Cyclones took over from there. Iowa State used an 18-2 run, turning a 41-34 deficit into a 52-43 lead.

Unlike Monday’s game against Arizona, the Cyclones were able to close out against Illinois to get their first win at the Maui Invitational.

Jacobson continued where he left off after halftime. He ended the game with 23 points and eight rebounds. Horton-Tucker finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Iowa State outscored Illinois 50-29 in the second half.

The Cyclones will play at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday against San Diego State for fifth place.