Iowa State basketball: Cyclones open Big 12 play with 79-69 win at Colorado

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The past hardly matters now that Big 12 play has begun, especially when you’re the road team in conference play.

Iowa State ran Colorado off the court in the Maui Invitational, beating the Buffaloes by 28 points on Nov. 27. Monday’s rematch and Big 12 opener was a much tighter contest.

The Buffaloes came with a renewed effort at the CU Events Center, but the third-ranked Cyclones rose to the occasion in the high altitude and emerged victorious, 79-69.

Iowa State lost its double-digit lead midway through the second half, but it stormed back in front with a 13-2 run. Brandton Chatfield finished the run with a second-chance tip-in basket to give the Cyclones a 63-57 lead with 6:08 left in the game.

Colorado didn’t go away quietly, but the Buffaloes had a scoring drought that spanned nearly three minutes down the stretch that allowed the Cyclones to pull away and hang on for the win.

Curtis Jones led Iowa State with 20 points after missing each of his first six shot attempts. He shot 5-of-10 the rest of the way. Joshua Jefferson made an impact on both ends of the court, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and eight steals. Keshon Gilbert had 14 points and three assists. Tamin Lipsey had 10 points.

Brandton Chatfield had a quality outing off the bench, chipping in nine points, seven offensive rebounds and two blocks. Milan Momcilovic, who racked up 24 points in the previous meeting with Colorado, was held to just five points on 2-of-9 shooting in the rematch.

Dishon Jackson scored six straight points for the Cyclones coming out of halftime, which extended the Cyclones’ lead to 12 points with 18:14 remaining in the game. It was Iowa State’s largest lead of the contest.

Colorado came back with a 22-5 run, a surge sparked by back-to-back R.J. Smith three-pointers. The Buffaloes capitalized on Iowa State turnovers and missed shots, as well as defensive miscues to grab the lead. Javon Ruffin capped off the rally with a fast-break layup off a Cyclone turnover to give the Buffaloes a…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-state-basketball-cyclones-open-042412146.html

Author : The Des Moines Register

Publish date : 2024-12-31 04:24:00

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