The win was a crucial one for Iowa State heading into the Big 12 tournament, earning a 2-seed behind Kansas. The Cyclones’ last win came over Oklahoma after a school record 21-point comeback, during which ISU scored 59 points in the second half. Against the Horned Frogs, the Cyclones scored 63 points with a shooting percentage of 71.4, their best shooting half of the season.
Mistakes cost the Cyclones in the first half, allowing seven points off of eight turnovers before halftime. Less than two minutes into the second half, Iowa State took the lead after an eight point run and held onto it.
Four scored in double digits to help the Cyclones to the victory, with Georges Niang leading the team with 17 points in the second half.
The Cyclones trailed 32-26 at the half, shooting only 40 percent from the field. Iowa State gave up eight turnovers for seven points in the first half, with TCU’s Kyan Anderson scoring 11 points despite the Horned Frogs shooting only 31 percent as a whole. Monte Morris led ISU in scoring with seven points in the first half.
Just over a minute into the half, Iowa State went on an 8-0 run to take the lead back from the Horned Frogs and get back into the game.
The Cyclones were led by Jameel McKay with 10 points and 5 rebounds only five minutes into the second half. Niang stepped up with nine quick points and two assists after halftime, giving ISU a 60-51 lead with 10 minutes left in the game.
With just under seven minutes remaining, ISU took its largest lead of the game with 12 points, nearly immediately followed by a three-point jumper from Bryce DeJean-Jones, putting the Cyclones up 74-59.
Morris was again crucial in the second half, with 12 points and four assists, and going 4-4 in free throws.
In the second half, Iowa State committed only one turnover for two points, and answered TCU’s 44 points with a season-high 63 points after halftime.
Bryce Dejean-Jones was scoreless in the Cyclones’ last two games but came up against the Horned Frogs, scoring 15 points, including seven out of 10 free throws. Dejean-Jones was 2-2 from 3-point range and offered 3 assists, including one to Dustin Hogue with just over seven minutes left in the game to give the Cyclones a nine point lead.
Iowa State will travel to Kansas City for the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.
