AMES – Iowa State finished its four-game homestand to start the season in the same way it had in the previous three contests.
With complete dominance.
The Cyclones had no trouble Sunday with Grambling State in a 92-37 victory at Hilton Coliseum.
Iowa State improved to 4-0 with no games closer than 31 points ahead of what will almost certainly be a tougher task next week at the ESPN Events Invitational. The Cyclones open Thursday against VCU, and then will face either Boise State or Virginia Tech. Penn State, Texas A&M, Butler and Florida Atlantic, a Final Four team a year ago, are on the other side of the bracket.
The Cyclones led the Tigers 32-4 just after the midway point of the first half and eventually would take an insurmountable 48-14 lead into halftime.
Tamin Lipsey led the way for the Cyclones with 17 points and nine assists. Omaha Biliew and Curtis Jones both had 14 points while Milan Momcilovic added 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Grambling State shot 28.6 percent from the floor while turning it over 21 times.
While Iowa State’s first four opponents were wholly overmatched, it was still an impressive showing for the Cyclones, who sport a vastly different roster than the one that reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
The Cyclones set out this offseason to improve their offense while not sacrificing the stifling defense that had been the calling card of their success in the first two years under coach T.J. Otzelberger. The early returns suggest Iowa State was able to do exactly that, though to what extent will need to be proven against better competition.
More: Iowa State basketball hosts final tune-up before degree of difficulty increases
Still, even adjusting for degree of difficulty, Iowa State exceeded even the rosiest of projections through four games, setting up what will be a consequential tournament in Orlando as the Cyclones look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume with wins that will likely resonate with the selection committee months from…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-state-basketball-remains-perfect-195738173.html
Author : The Des Moines Register
Publish date : 2023-11-19 19:57:38
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
