FORT WORTH – The Iowa State men’s basketball team (13-4 overall, 3-1 Big 12) defeated TCU (9-9 overall, 0-5 Big 12), 63-50 on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas behind a 16-point performance from Tyrus McGee, while shooting 7-13 from the field.
McGee was one of four Cyclones in double digits in the game, joined by teammates Will Clyburn (12), Georges Niang (10) and Melvin Ejim (10). Ejim also recorded his eighth double-double of the season, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Ejim is now tied for 17th on the school’s career rebounding chart (605), tying him with Stevie Johnson (1997-2000).
McGee and Ejim helped spark a crucial 14-4 Iowa State run over the final 6:13 of the first half that gave the Cyclones a 36-26 halftime lead. With the score knotted at 22-22, McGee started the run with a jumper to give the Cyclones a lead they would never relinquish.
Ejim then went to work down low, scoring five straight points, both of which were the result of offensive rebounds by the Toronto, Ontario native. McGee then drilled a trey, followed by a breakaway dunk that stretched the Cyclone lead to 34-24.
McGee’s triple with 2:41 left in the first half kept his streak of 17 consecutive games with a made three-pointer alive, the fifth longest such streak in school history.
The Horned Frogs fought back in the second half after the Cyclone lead got as large as 15 points, but were never able to get the gap closer the eight points after halftime.
TCU had three players in double figures, with Charles Hill Jr., Devonta Abron and Garlon Green all scoring 10 points for the Horned Frogs.
Saturday’s game was the fourth time this season in which the Cyclones were 50 percent or better from the field, hitting 28 of 56 shots against the Horned Frogs. They are 4-0 in those games.
The Cyclones will be back in action this Wednesday to take on Texas Tech at 8 p.m. CST in Lubbock, Texas.
