MANHATTAN, Kan. – The national pundits said Iowa State needed a win in its last three games for a chance for a NCAA Tournament berth. Mission accomplished.
Behind a incredible night from Scott Christopherson, Iowa State knocked off Kansas State, 65-61 Saturday afternoon in Manhattan, Kan. The senior poured in a season-high 29 points (10-13 FG, 5-5 3FG) to help the Cyclones secure the season sweep over the Wildcats and improve to 21-8 overall and 11-5 in Big 12 play.
Christopherson’s 5-of-5 effort from downtown tied a school record and the Cyclones also got help from Royce White, who recorded nine points, 12 boards and seven assists in the victory.
Iowa State led at the half, 37-27. Christopherson didn’t miss a shot in the first period, drilling 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from downtown en route to 18 first-half points.
The Wildcats opened up the second half on a 13-1 run and eventually took a six-point lead at 44-38 with 14:18 left in the game. ISU missed its first 10 shots of the second period, but finally ended the drought when Chris Babb hit a trey. Tyrus McGee then followed with a 3-pointer to help ISU regain the lead.
The game was tied at 61-61 with 1:40 left in the game when Christopherson came up with the biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer to put ISU up 64-61. ISU then came up with a couple of stops and made its free-throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
It marks the first time ISU has swept four league teams in a season since 2001.
Christopherson reached 1,000 points in his Cyclone career in the game. He now has 1,028 points in his three-year Cyclone career. He also passed his head coach, Fred Hoiberg, to No. 3 on ISU’s career 3-pointers made list with 187.
Iowa State travels to No. 3 Missouri on Wednesday. Tipoff is set at 7 p.m.
