Three takeaways: Cyclones slay Sooners in Ames

Aaron Marner
February 10, 2018

Iowa State defeated No. 17 Oklahoma at Hilton Coliseum today, 88-80. The Cyclones (13-11, 4-8 Big 12) pulled out their third win over an AP top 25 team this season as they took down the Sooners (16-8, 6-6 Big 12).

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Freshmen take over

Iowa State has been led by two freshmen — forward Cameron Lard and guard Lindell Wigginton — for much of this season. Saturday was no different.

Wigginton had a game-high 26 points and Lard finished with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to lead the Cyclones to victory.

“[Lard has] been fantastic,” said Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger. “He’s done a terrific job. Big on the offensive boards, big in the low post when he does catch. Just a terrific run that he’s having. He’s done that for a while.”

Lard was dominant on both ends of the floor. He blocked two shots, recorded three steals and went 7-of-11 from the field.

Perhaps his biggest contribution was on the offensive glass. Lard grabbed nine offensive boards, and several of them resulted in putback slams.

Lard said the only thing he likes more than tip dunks is “yelling at the fans” in celebration.

“I’m just trying not to get any more techs,” Lard said with a smile.

He and Wigginton combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds in the win.

Jakolby Long instrumental in shutting down Trae Young

Iowa State knew the toughest task against Oklahoma would be the offensive playmaking of Sooner freshman guard Trae Young.

Young leads Division I basketball in both scoring and assists, and he’s one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Cyclones used four different players to guard Young on Saturday. Starters Zoran Talley Jr., Donovan Jackson and Wigginton all took turns on the freshman phenom, and Jakolby Long spent some time guarding Young when Long came off the bench.

Long especially had a strong defensive performance on Young, who was just 2-of-9 in the first half and finished the game 7-of-21 with 22 points.

“I thought he did a good job,” said coach Steve Prohm. “He competed well. The biggest thing was [he had] no turnovers, two assists, and made a big three on a ball reversal in the corner in the first half when we were making our early run.

“I thought he did a good job tonight off the bench.”

Long was the first player off the bench for the Cyclones and played 17 minutes. He finished with three points, three rebounds and two assists.

Cyclones prepare for final stretch

Iowa State sits at 13-11 (4-8 Big 12) with six games to play.

The Cyclones are dead-last in the conference at 4-8, but the rest of the league isn’t too far ahead.

Oklahoma sits at 6-6 after losing in Hilton, and the Sooners are in fifth place in the league as of Saturday afternoon. Four teams — Baylor, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas — sit at 5-7.

In the final six games, Iowa State has three at home and three on the road. The Cyclones host three teams that beat them on the road — TCU, Kansas and Oklahoma State — while traveling to Kansas State, West Virginia and Oklahoma.

The Cyclones are 2-4 overall against the six teams left on their schedule.