Courtesy: cyclones.com –
HONOLULU, Hawai’i – For the first time in school history, No. 14 Iowa State is 11-0 as the Cyclones battled from behind to defeat Boise State 70-66 to win the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Wednesday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Boise State is now 10-3 on the season.
The Cyclones did not lead or have a tie during the entire first half and finally got in front at the 13:45 mark of the second half on a Melvin Ejim put back. Despite never having a lead of more than six points, Iowa State was able to hold on to the lead for the rest of the game via some clutch baskets from DeAndre Kane and free throws with Boise State fouling to get back into the game.
Keys to the Game
Iowa State, down seven at the half, got on a 5-0 run to immediately put the pressure on Boise State. The Broncos were able to resist for a little bit before turning it over on a carry. Iowa State went down the court and saw DeAndre Kane drain a 14-foot jumper and get fouled to reduce BSU’s lead to one point. Looking for ISU’s first tie since it was 0-0, Kane missed the free throw, but Melvin Ejim was on the double to get the rebound and the put back and give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 44-43 with 13:45 to go in the game.
The Cyclones held onto the lead, but through the next eight minutes of game play, Iowa State was only able to get a lead as large as four points before Georges Niang went to the line and converted a pair of free throws to give the Cyclones their first five-point lead of the game at 58-53.
The Broncos would not go away as they rode the efforts of Derrick Marks, who scored his 20th point of the game with a 3-pointer to tie the game at 60-60 with 4:11 left. Dustin Hogue made a free throw to restore Iowa State’s lead at 61-60, which was followed by a Boise State turnover. Iowa State added to its lead as Kane put away a free throw to give ISU a two-point advantage. Boise was unable to tie or re-take the lead which opened the door for Kane to hit a big 3-pointer, his fourth of the game, to put Iowa State ahead 65-60.
Boise State needed to foul get back into the game, but Iowa State showed its mental toughness at the free throw line by converting 13 of its final 16 free throw attempts.
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When Iowa State has struggled in the first half this season, there has always been someone who stood out and helped keep the Cyclones in contact while the rest of his teammates found his way into the game.
Today that role was played by Kane, who recorded 10 points in the first half. With ISU struggling from 3-point range it was Kane, who had only made multiple 3-pointers in a game once this season, which broke the slump by making two 3-pointers late in the first half.
Kane made the big shot of the game with Iowa State up 62-60 as he hit a deep 3-pointer to give ISU a 65-60 advantage.
The senior finished the game with a season-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Kane also contributed five rebounds and two assists.
11-0! Diamond Head Classic Champs! See you back at Hilton, Cyclone Nation! pic.twitter.com/Zu7S2yVh9i
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) December 26, 2013
