AMES – Iowa State guard Curtis Jones led the way with 20 points and forward Milan Momcilovic followed with 16 in the No. 7 Cyclones’ 82-56 rout over Kansas City on Monday night.
Much like in the opener, Iowa State came out of the gate slow and surrendered a slim lead to Kansas City. But behind an offensive turnaround and a disciplined defense, the Cyclones kept the Roos at bay.
“We’d like to get off to a faster start,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “As the game went on and we were able to get out in transition, we did a better job playing for one another.”
Threes fall for Jones, Momcilovic
It took a few minutes for Iowa State to make its first three, but once the first one went in, more followed. Momcilovic was the one who got things rolling from the 3-point line.
Momcilovic started 4-for-4 but missed his final three 3s. Nonetheless, the sophomore made more than half of his 3-point attempts.
“[I] came out tonight with an aggressive mindset,” Momcilovic said. “I missed three wide-open 3s that could’ve blown the roof off this place.”
The increase in 3-point attempts is something Otezelberger wanted Momcilovic to do this season. He already is taking those first steps.
“I liked his urgency,” Otzelberger said. “The more he can hunt, the better we’ll be.”
Likewise, Jones went 3-for-5 from deep, with his 3-pointers coming later in the contest. Momcilovic got things rolling in the first half, and Jones carried it over into the second half.
The duo did it after different roles than in the season opener. Against Mississippi Valley State, Jones got the start over Momcilovic. In game two, they switched, and it was Momcilovic who got the start.
Their dynamic has worked so far no matter who has been the starter. Chances are Momcilovic and Jones could swap each game in terms of who starts.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Momcilovic said. “We all play the same role, we’re all gonna get similar minutes, so it doesn’t really matter who’s out there.”
Defense suffocates Roos
Otzelberger has made defense the focal point of his teams in the past. Monday night was no different, as the Cyclones locked down the Roos inside and outside.
As a team, Kansas City shot 33% from the floor and 26% from beyond the arc. The Roos did shoot at a slightly better rate in the second half, but it was too little too late in the end.
A big piece of the defense was turnovers once again, and Momcilovic helped force some big ones late in the game. It’s something Otzelberger has pushed Momcilovic to work on throughout the offseason.
“He’s improved immensely,” Otzelberger said. “Proud to see him make those plays. I was excited for him because he had some good energy out there.”
Momcilovic recorded one steal but was a part of plays that resulted in turnovers.
As the defense made it tough for Kansas City to make shots, it also made it difficult for the Roos to shoot in general. Of the 16 turnovers Iowa State forced, a couple were shot clock violations and one was a 10-second violation.
When Kansas City did get those late shots off, chances were they weren’t going in.
Jackson cleans up down low
In the first few minutes of the game, Iowa State had a slow start. The Cyclones trailed by four early, but it was Dishon Jackson who kept Iowa State close.
The first four points for the Cyclones were scored by Jackson, and he ended up with eight of their first 15 points. He was the lead guy in the frontcourt with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
“He’s a tough cover one-on-one,” Otzelberger said. “Early in the game, and then out of the half, to get him those baskets in the paint at the rim was really important for us.”
Though it is early in the season, Jackson is starting to see the chemistry between himself and his teammates come to fruition. One of his baskets came via a behind-the-back pass from guard Tamin Lipsey.
“[Lipsey] makes it very easy, I’ve never played with a guard like that,” Jackson said. “He does that all the time.”
On defense, Jackson had an advantage in the height category. He stood taller than every player on the court, which helped contest shots from Kansas City and allowed him to lead the Cyclones in rebounds with six.
He even added an assist for good measure.
“I’m just trying to do whatever for the team to have success,” Jackson said. “Whatever I’ve got to do to help us win, I’m gonna do it.”
