Gilbert scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half, including a trio of 3-pointers. He also led the team in rebounds (8) and assists (5), as the Cyclones improved to 15-0 at home this season.
Curtis Jones maintained his recent outstanding play from off the bench with 12 points, including seven in the second half. Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic and Robert Jones each chipped in with 10 points.
Joe Toussaint led the Red Raiders with 16 points.
Iowa State’s defense was once again up to the task, forcing 16 turnovers while committing only six, the 11th time this year the Cyclones committed less than 10 turnovers. ISU scored 28 points off turnovers to TTU’s zero.
Iowa State opened up a 24-10 lead midway through the first half thanks to a 17-4 run. Robert Jones had eight points and Gilbert had six points in the flurry to help the Cyclones take control.
The Red Raiders trimmed a once 17-point Cyclone lead down to 12 on a couple of occasions, but Momcilovic scored a pair of buckets in the final minute to give the Cyclones a 38-24 lead at intermission.
A pair of 3-pointers by Gilbert pushed the Cyclone lead to 19 points (46-27) early in the second half.
TTU’s Pop Isaacs banked in a 3-pointer to cut the ISU lead to 53-37, but Lipsey scored back-to-baskets, including conventional 3-point play off a steal by Robert Jones to make it 58-37 Cyclones with 11:23 remaining in the game.
Tech rallied with a 7-0 run capped off by a 3-pointer from Darrion Williams to close the gap to 60-47, but Gilbert answered with his third triple of the game to make it 63-47 ISU with 7:07 remaining.
Iowa State maintained a double-digit lead until the final minute.
Key Performer
Robert Jones played a huge role in helping Iowa State run out to a 38-24 lead at the break with eight points on 4-of-4 shooting and five boards in the opening period. Jones finished the game with 10 points (5-6 FG) and seven rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.
Up Next
Iowa State is back in action on Monday (Feb. 19) at Houston. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.
