Georges NiangCQ and Monte MorrisCQ weren’t the only players who showed up to play for Iowa State in the team’s opening game of the Big 12 tournament against Texas, but they were the most influential.

Morris led the Cyclones with 24 points to complement five steals, three assists and three rebounds. His final steal of the game off of a Texas in-bounds play, which took place immediately after Morris made two free-throws to cut the lead to eight, was a key momentum shifter down the stretch.

Morris also hit this little thing called a game-winner as time expired—a play not to be overlooked. Niang described how he felt after he saw the Morris jumper drop.

“[I was] ecstatic,” Niang said. “It was great to see that go through for him, and the success that he’s bringing to this program and to these fans that traveled so far for this.”

Niang dropped in 22 points, dished out six assists and grabbed a couple rebounds of his own. Despite how magnificently Niang played, and despite how pure the drama in the game’s final minutes was, Niang said there’s little time to relish any of it.

“They say you’ve got to have amnesia in this league and forget about losses,” Niang said. “Well, you also gotta forget about wins because [they are] in the books.”

The Cyclones will put the win behind them officially at 8:00 p.m. on March 13—the opening tip of their Big 12 semifinal game.

For the full story, check out the Iowa State Daily website.