The Lowdown

After a poor shooting first half for both teams, Iowa State pulled away from Georgia State in an 81-58 win at Hilton Coliseum.

All five starters scored in double figures for the second game in a row as the Cyclones (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) pulled away from the Panthers, (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) who are regarded as an NCAA tournament-caliber team. 

Georges Niang recorded his second career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and Bryce Dejean-Jones came within reaching distance of a triple-double with a 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Naz Long became the spark for the Cyclones, recording five three-pointers in 26 minutes after finding himself in foul trouble. Dustin Hogue scored 15 points under the hoop and pulled in seven rebounds, as well.

Matt Thomas and Abdel Nader will join the Cyclones as they play Alabama after serving 3-game suspensions for violations of team rules.

Turning Point

Hanging on to a 44-37 lead with just under 16 minutes in the game, Long hit one of his five 3-pointers to spark a 24-7 run over the next eight minutes to pull away from the stingy Panthers.

X-Factor

Monte Morris — The NCAA record-holder for assist-to-turnover ratio appears to be trying to break his own record this year, dishing out nine assists with no turnovers, as well as scoring a career-high 19 points and pulling in five rebounds.

Shooting 7-for-9 from the field, 2-for-3 from the 3-point line and 3-for-4 at the free throw line, Morris was the most accurate shooter on the floor and even recorded a block on the defensive end to round out a dominating performance.

By the Numbers

8 — Three-pointers by the Cyclones

23 — Assists on 29 baskets for the Cyclones

28 — Total minutes by five ISU bench players

38 — Rebounds for Iowa State

94.8 — Percent of points scored by the starting 5 this season (165-174)