After dominating wins on the first two days of competition, the Cyclones closed out their Bahamas trip with a 79-66 win over the Puerto Rico National Team Wednesday.
Although it wasn’t as one-sided as the previous two games, the Cyclones held a lead through all four quarters. Iowa State held a tight 18-12 lead after the first quarter.
The Cyclones found their rhythm in the second quarter extending their lead to 35-26 by the half.
The second half was decided by runs, as both teams strung together big runs throughout the third quarter. Iowa State started first with a 19-3 run at the start of the third quarter.
Puerto Rico didn’t go down without a fight, going on a run of its own. After three quarters of play, the score sat at 59-41.
Leading by 18 going into the final quarter, the Cyclones were confident that a win was coming. Puerto Rico did all it could to form a comeback, but it was too little too late.
Although Puerto Rico held a 25-20 lead in the fourth quarter, the Cyclones finished on top 79-66.
“I was pleased with the way we started the game today,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Our veteran players have done a great job in these three games of setting the tone and being leaders for our younger guys.”
The star of the game was UNLV transfer Keshon Gilbert. Gilbert was the third different Cyclone to lead the team in scoring on the Bahamas trip, putting up 18 points against Puerto Rico.
Four other Cyclones saw double-figures with Jackson Paveletzke putting up 14, Curtis Jones putting up 12 and Tre King and Tamin Lipsey with 10 a piece.
Hasan Ward led the team in blocks on the first two days before getting his chance to make an impact around the basket. Ward ended with a game-high eight rebounds against Puerto Rico.
Lipsey neared a double-double by recording nine assists. Lipsey also had a game-high four steals on the day.
It was an overall balanced effort of offense and defense that propelled Iowa State over Puerto Rico. Also having three different scoring leaders in three games was a good sign for the future of Otzelberger’s team.
The Cyclones will now look onto the regular season which starts Nov. 6. Iowa State will take on Green Bay in its home opener at Hilton Coliseum.
