COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 7 Missouri used a key 9-0 second half run to down Iowa State, 78-72 Wednesday night in Columbia.
Iowa State held a seven-point lead in the second half, but couldn’t withstand the Tigers’ late charge, as the Cyclones fall to 21-9 overall and 11-6 in the Big 12.
Royce White led the Cyclones with 20 points and nine assists.
Iowa State led at the break, 40-36 thanks to its outstanding rebounding. The Cyclones shot just 42.1 percent in the opening period, but held the halftime lead with 11 offensive boards.
ISU held its largest lead in the first half at 38-30 after White scored down low with 2:00 remaining in the half. White had 14 points and six assists in the opening period.
Iowa State led 59-55 midway through the second half, but a 9-0 Missouri run gave the home team a 64-59 lead. A Chris Allen trey and a pair of Melvin Ejim free-throws tied the game at 64-64 with 3:48 remaining.
MU then went on a 7-0 run, thanks to a Marcus Denmon trey to take control late.
Turnovers hurt the Cyclones, as 15 miscues led to 24 fast-break points for the Tigers.
Scott Christopherson finished with 15 points and made a trio of 3-pointers. Christopherson is now tied with Dedric Willoughby at second on ISU’s career 3-pointers made list 190.
Ejim chipped in with 10 points and a team-high 13 rebounds, his seventh career double-double.
Iowa State hit 12 3-pointers, the 14th time this season ISU has made 10 or more treys in a game.
Iowa State returns home to face No. 9 Baylor on Saturday (March 3). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
