Iowa State did just about everything right as it blew past Coppin State, 104-84, to finish the non-conference portion of the season with an 11-1 record. 

The Cyclones started the game on a 12-0 run and were hardly threatened by Coppin State, which is just 2-13 on the season.

The Cyclones led by as many as 23 in the first half and put in freshman Simeon Carter and walk-on Jordan Ashton with 12 minutes left in the second half for some extended action before Big 12 play ramps up.

3-point defense

The game was effectively over shortly after it started, which may have contributed to Iowa State’s lackluster defense. Iowa State’s 3-point defense was especially a sore spot, as the Cyclones allowed Coppin State to hit on 17-of-30 3-point attempts.

The statistic becomes even more concerning when Iowa State’s next opponent, No. 3 Oklahoma, is shooting above 46 percent from 3-point range as a team. 

While Georges Niang and ISU coach Steve Prohm expressed some concern and displeasure over the 3-point defensive woes, Prohm mostly chalked it up to the flow of the game and Iowa State’s big lead as the main reason.

Coppin State was previously 315th in the nation in 3-point shooting with a 29.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Up next: Big 12 play

Iowa State’s win against Coppin State rounded out the non-conference portion of it’s schedule, but the Cyclones aren’t easing into Big 12 play by any means. Iowa State will travel to Oklahoma on Saturday, where it will face off against the No. 3 Sooners.

Oklahoma is led by Player of the Year candidate Buddy Hield, who is averaging just under 25 points per game and shooting over 50 percent from 3-point range.

“We’re not [going to] stop him to zero points,” said Monté Morris. “I want to but [in] real life it probably won’t happen.”

Morris said Iowa State will try to slow Hield down and make him uncomfortable. 

Milestone for Morris

Morris racked up 10 assists in the first half and finished with 11 assists in the game, including a number of highlight-reel assists. 

Here are two beautiful passes from Morris to Nader and Thomas! https://t.co/7fu7OfFCUf

— Cyclone Basketball (@CycloneMBB) December 31, 2015

Morris put on a show and, in doing so, tied for the second-fastest Cyclone to reach 400 career assists. Morris accomplished the feat in 82 games, tying Jeff Hornacek and Will Blalock.

Jamaal Tinsley is the fastest Cyclone to reach 400 assists, doing it in just 68 career games.