Iowa State’s season-opening victory over Oakland looked a bit different in the first half than many of the 28 wins it counted last year, but it was a win nonetheless.

The Cyclones outlasted the Golden Grizzlies 93-82, but the visitors from Michigan kept the game interesting, especially in the first half as Oakland forward Cory Petros exposed ISU’s interior defense with 25 points on the evening.

The score was tied at 38 late in the first until Iowa State ended the half on a 7-0 run, taking a lead of the same margin into the locker room.

Iowa State struggled from the field early, including a 1-for-5 start from behind the arc.

They ended the game 7-for-16 from three, attempting seven fewer than last year’s average.

Instead Iowa State used transition buckets and penetration into the paint to shore up the shooting numbers and get to the line, which allowed ISU coach Fred Hoiberg’s players to get comfortable.

Iowa State shot 26-for-37 from the stripe, attempting 15 more free throws than its average from 2013-14.

The quick pace of the game allowed the athleticism of newly acquired senior Bryce Dejean-Jones to shine, dropping in 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds.

It was junior forward Georges Niang who led the way, however, with a career-high 30 points, nine rebounds and five assists on his way to becoming the 31st player in ISU history to score more than 1,000 points.

Every starter for Iowa State scored in double figures on the night as the Cyclones pulled away in the second half.

Iowa State’s regular rotation went only seven deep as senior Daniel Edozie and sophomore Sherron Dorsey-Walker saw 18 minutes each.

Iowa State will take on Georgia State at 8 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Hilton Coliseum.