Courtesy: cyclones.com –
AMES, Iowa – Chris Babb scored 17 points (5-9 3FG) and Melvin Ejim posted his 12th double-double (13 points/13 rebounds) to propel Iowa State (19-8 overall, 9-5 Big 12 Conference) to an 86-66 win over Texas Tech (9-16 overall, 2-12 Big 12) Saturday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum.
The win increases ISU’s homecourt string to 22 games, tying for the second-best streak in school history. ISU’s 14-game conference homecourt string is also the second-best string in the Iowa State record book.
Ejim’s 12th double-double ties him for 15th on ISU’s single-season list and helped the Cyclones outboard the Red Raiders, 43-31.
Babb’s five treys ties a season high and helped the Cyclones drill 11 3-pointers for the game, the 16th time this season ISU has made double-digit 3-pointers. ISU, the nation’s leader in 3-pointers per game, has made double-digit 3-pointers in eight of its last nine games.
Both teams traded leads throughout much of the first half. The game was tied at 26-26 before the Cyclones scored 10-straight points thanks to a pair of Babb 3-pointers. ISU scored eight points in a 40-second span in the run.
TTU’s Josh Gray then hit a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to make it a 36-29 lead at the break.
ISU led 45-39 until a 7-0 run pushed the Cyclones out in front 52-39 with 12:58 remaining in the contest. Will Clyburn broke free for a dunk thanks to a nifty pass from Georges Niang. Niang then answered with a 3-pointer to jumpstart the run.
ISU stretched its lead to 19 points (63-44) with 8:40 left in the game and made it a 79-52 advantage after Babb nailed back-to-back 3-pointers with five minutes remaining.
Tyrus McGee scored in double figures from off the bench for the 20th time this season with 13 points. Clyburn chipped in with 17 points.
ISU has scored 80 or more points in five of its last six games.
ISU remains at home, playing host to No. 9 Kansas Monday night on ESPN’s Big Monday. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CST.
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