AMES, IOWA – The No. 20 Iowa State men’s basketball team (2-0 overall) defeated Mount St. Mary’s (0-2 overall) 73-55 at Hilton Coliseum on Monday night. With the win, Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm became the second-fastest coach in school history to reach the 25-win mark, doing so in just 37 games.
Preseason All-American Monté Morris led the Cyclones in scoring for the second time this season with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, as one of four Cyclones in double figures. Fellow senior Deonte Burton posted his first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and snaring 13 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
The Iowa State defense keyed a low-scoring first period, holding the Mountaineers to just 5-of-24 shooting from the field and forcing nine turnovers. The Cyclones shared in the offensive struggle at times in the opening half, with just 2-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc finding the bottom of the net.
A 12-0 run over a four-minute stretch allowed the Cyclones some breathing room and a 19-4 advantage. Matt Thomas led the way for ISU with 11 points in the half, while Burton pulled down seven boards, as Iowa State led 39-22 at the break. The Mount got an offensive boost by going 10-of-12 from the charity stripe in the opening stanza.
The Mount came out of the locker room scorching hot from deep, making four of their first five 3-point attempts. The barrage led to a mini Mountaineer comeback, as Iowa State’s lead was cut to 49-39 with 13:28 to play in the game. The Cyclones responded with a 12-0 run, in which five different Cyclones scored and the defense locked down, forcing 11-straight Mount St. Mary’s missed field goals.
The Cyclones never quite found their touch from deep, finishing the game 4-of-16 from deep, but were able to grind out the 73-55 victory.
Players of Note:
Monté Morris led the Cyclones in scoring again on Monday, putting up an efficient 18-point effort while hitting 7-of-12 field goal attempts, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Deonte Burton posted a 10-point 13-rebound double-double, his first of the season. The senior was 5-of-9 from the field to go with two steal and a block.
Matt Thomas joined his senior counterparts in double figures as well, recording 13 points on the evening while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing out a pair of assists.
Nick Weiler-BabbClick here to hear it made it into double-figures in just his second game as a Cyclone, providing a nice spark off the bench. Weiler-Babb went 5-of-6 from the field with five rebounds and two assists.
Steve Prohm won his 25th game as Iowa State’s head coach, the second-fastest in school history to reach the mark (37 games). Tim Floyd won 25 of his first 36 contests as ISU’s head coach.
Matt Thomas has now made a 3-pointer in 27 consecutive games, the tying for the second-longest streak in school history.
Iowa State is back at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday to take on The Citadel. Tip will be at 1 p.m. with the game televised on Cyclones.TV Powered by Mediacom.
