The Lowdown

ISU coach Fred Hoiberg’s biggest worry about his team manifested itself in a loss to Maryland. Iowa State’s defense allowed Maryland’s bigs to dominate in the paint and out-rebound the Cyclones 35-33 in a 72-63 loss.

Maryland shot the ball well from inside as well as outside, going 8-for-20 from the 3-point line and 26-for-59 from the field. Iowa State, however, had one of its worst shooting games of the Hoiberg era, going 19-for-64 from the floor, which translates to 29.7 percent, and 6-for-27 from the 3-point line.

Georges Niang found himself in early foul trouble and couldn’t find his touch from behind the arc, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists on 4-for-14 shooting and 1-for-6 from behind the 3-point line.

Monte Morris had an uncharacteristic game, dishing out only two assists and one turnover after starting the season with 24 assists and two turnovers. He finished with seven points, five rebounds and four personal fouls.

Dustin Hogue also sat out a large chunk of the game in foul trouble, only playing 25 minutes and contributing three points.

The Cyclones will have a break during Thanksgiving, returning to action against Lamar on Dec. 2 at Hilton Coliseum. 

Turning Point

With less than two minutes to play, Naz Long scored seven-straight points to pull the Cyclones within eight points and a chance to score. After struggling for a rebound, Maryland found an outlet on a breakaway that led to a flagrant foul on Bryce Dejean-Jones attempting to stop the transition bucket.

The foul led to two made free throws and an extra possession by Maryland, draining key time necessary for the ISU comeback. 

X-Factor

Bryce Dejean-Jones: Besides the late flagrant foul, Dejean-Jones was one of the team’s brightest spots, finishing with 17 points off 6-of-12 shooting and seven rebounds. Dejean-Jones gave the Terrapins trouble driving to the hoops with his size, and he was the only ISU player with seven or more shot attempts to shoot better than 30 percent.

By the Numbers

2 — ISU players in double-digits, the lowest of the season

6 — Three-pointers made, the lowest of the season

8 — Assists on 19 made shots for the Cyclones, their lowest of the season

29.7 — ISU field-goal percentage, the second-lowest of the Fred Hoiberg era

63 — ISU points scored, the third-lowest total in the last three seasons