Coming into Monday night’s game, it looked like No. 4 Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) could have their hands full. Chattanooga (3-1, 0-0 SoCon) was entering Hilton Coliseum with a perfect record, and was fresh off of a pair of wins against Georgia and Illinois.

The Mocs even received a vote in this week’s AP Poll.

But it turned out to be smooth sailing for the Cyclones, who walked out of the arena Monday night with a 83-63 win.

The Lowdown

The Cyclones fell down 4-0 early, but quickly turned things around going a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the 3-point line. By the first media timeout, Iowa State was in the midst of a 10-0 run, allowing them to retake the lead.

The Cyclones continued on the run coming out of the timeout, extending their lead to 20-9 early on. Iowa State rode out their lead through the end of the half, thanks to Naz Mitrou-Long’s 13 points on 5-of-6 from the field and Jameel McKay’s 11 rebounds, giving the Cyclones a 44-29 lead.

Iowa State had no problems coming out of the break, where they quickly extended their lead to 20 points and never looked back. They were able to hold off the Mocs throughout the rest of the game, giving them the 83-63 win.

X-Factor

Naz Mitrou-Long led the charge for the Cyclones Monday, finishing with 24 points. Mitrou-Long finished the first half 5-of-6 from the field, 3-of-4 from behind the 3-point line, for 13 points. He kept his hot streak alive in the second half, shooting 9-of-13 from the field and making six 3-pointers.

Up next

The Cyclones will next take the court on Friday, Nov. 27, when they travel to Niceville, Fla., for the third round of the Emerald Coast Classic. Iowa State will take on Virginia Tech at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports. The winner of the game will take on the winner of Illinois/UAB on Nov. 28 in the tournament championship.