The Lowdown

There was no secret as to how West Virginia was going to try to beat Iowa State — force turnovers and take advantage of offensive rebounds. The Cyclones’ plan to prevent both was put to the test by the Mountaineers, but their hot shooting caught up with the sluggish shooting of West Virginia to pull away for a two-point win.

Iowa State (12-2, 2-0 Big 12) overcame foul trouble in the second half, with Georges Niang, Monté Morris and Dustin Hogue each piling up four personal fouls about halfway through the second half. West Virginia (14-2, 2-1 Big 12) couldn’t stop Abdel Nader and Jameel McKay in the second half, as the Cyclones picked up their first Big 12 road win of the season.

The offense ran through Morris, as West Virginia continued to attempt to force turnovers. He finished with nine points and six assists, despite fouling out with under a minute to go.

Naz Long came up big late, scoring a layup off a turnover to put the Cyclones ahead three points with 30 seconds to go. His free throw with less than two seconds to go finished off his three-point night, but allowed the Cyclones to hold on to win the game.

Georges Niang finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while Dustin Hogue, who fouled out late in the game, finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Bryce Dejean-Jones finished with six points and six rebounds. 

The Turning Point

With 1.6 seconds to go, Naz Long hit his first of two free throws to force West Virginia into making a shot on the miss while down 74-72. The Mountaineers couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, giving the Cyclones the thrilling win on the road to stay in control of the Big 12 with Kansas at 2-0.

X-Factor

Abdel Nader — The Northern Illinois transfer came up big for the Cyclones after a quiet streak since hitting four three-pointers against Iowa. Nader scored a team-high 19 points and and tied Jameel McKay with seven rebounds.

Nader made 6-of-6 free throws, many coming late in the game, giving the Cyclones the edge they needed after key players found themselves in foul trouble early in the second half. 

By the Numbers

2 — ISU players who fouled out, the Cyclones combined for 27 team fouls

18 — Turnovers by the Cyclones to only 14 assists

19 — Offensive rebounds by West Virginia, despite losing the turnover battle 40-38

32.4 — WVU shooting percentage

50 — ISU shooting percentage. The Cyclones haven’t lost a game shooting less than 40 percent this season