Jameel McKay’s return from his suspension was the headliner heading into No. 14 Iowa State’s game against No. 24 Texas, but Monté Morris and Georges Niang stole the show.

The duo combined for 48 points on 18-of-29 shooting, with both players scoring 24 points as Iowa State (18-7, 7-5 Big 12) took down Texas (16-9, 7-5 Big 12) 85-75 in an important game for Big 12 seeding.

“Those two guys we’re 18-for-29,” ISU coach Steve Prohm said. “When they have numbers like that you probably finished the game really well. They made big shots.”

Niang got it going late in the first half as the senior rattled off 13 straight points for the Cyclones. Morris said it was like Niang was “throwing a rock in the ocean.”

“If Georges makes his first shot, I feel like he’s going to have a crazy game,” Morris said. “He can explode at any moment. When Georges has it going, it falls down the line to everybody else.”

Morris and Niang tore apart the Texas defense, taking full advantage of the Longhorns switching on all ball screens.

Iowa State exploited mismatches by allowing Niang to get post touches and go to work when a smaller guard was switched on to him.

“Great point guard,” Niang said. “He got me the ball in all the right spots. That guy really makes me look good. I owe him the world seriously.”

The mismatches also worked in favor of Morris, who was able to blow past the Texas front line when bigger players switched onto him for easy buckets.

While Niang and Morris stepped into the spotlight with their offensive performances, McKay’s return wasn’t completely outshined. The senior forward had eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks coming off the bench in his return.

“We’re just happy to have him back,” Morris said. “He’s focused and when we got a focused Jameel McKay he’s big time.”

Niang was also happy to have his frontcourt partner rejoin the lineup.

“He was great for us,” Niang said. “He was everywhere, flying around like his hair was on fire. I couldn’t be more proud of him for him to step in and embrace his role and really just play amazing.”

Prohm followed suit in praising McKay’s play after missing the last two games due to a suspension that Prohm described as practice related.

“The thing I saw tonight from [McKay] was his attitude was terrific,” Prohm said. “He was listening. He was focused. His energy was great and he played like he’s capable of.”

McKay’s play was exactly what Prohm wanted to see out of his big man.

“We can’t be special without him,” Prohm added.

Niang and Morris had the offense rolling, McKay brought the energy and aggressiveness that earned him the Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year award last season, and Iowa State got solid contributions from Matt Thomas and Deonte Burton in the win.

Prohm said it was the first time in a long time that his team played up to their potential.

“I was proud of our team today,” Prohm said. “This was our team playing the righjt way, playing like we’re really capable of.”