Iowa State scores drama-free win against Oklahoma

AMES — For the first time in weeks, the Iowa State men's basketball team was drama free.

A solid, 40-minute performance was elusive for several weeks, with the Cyclones falling victim to wild runs and swings on a moment's notice.

The matchup against Oklahoma had its share of runs too, but once Iowa State took control in the second half it never relinquished its lead and cruised to an 80-64 win Saturday.

'That's what we needed tonight and we got the job done,' said point guard Monte Morris, who had 13 points, 9 assists, 3 steals and zero turnovers. 'We just need to build on it. We can win a game, it's just the next one we come out there like we took some sleeping pills or something.'

When a win at No. 2 Kansas was followed up by a loss at Texas in a three-day span, the conversation before the Cyclones (15-9, 7-5) hosted the Sooners (8-16, 2-10) shifted to being locked in, focused and playing to team strengths. It worked pretty well.

Iowa State was 12-for-26 from long range, assisted on 17 of 30 baskets, committed a season-low four turnovers and had five players in double figures. It forced 14 OU turnovers and had seven blocks while holding the Sooners to 23.1 percent shooting from outside.

'Guys were just locked in, man,' said guard Naz Mitrou-Long, who had 23 points, 6 rebounds and five 3s. 'We really put an emphasis in our last couple practices of simply being locked in.

'Again, we have the game plans, we have everything that's needed in place to win, it's just about executing. I think today everyone was really locked in.'

The Sooners took a one-point lead, their only lead in the game, on a layup from point guard Jordan Woodard. Iowa State closed the half on a 10-0 run to take a 38-29 lead into the break.

Oklahoma used an 8-0 run in 90 seconds early in the second half to make it 41-all with less than 16 minutes remaining. Out of an ISU timeout, the Cyclones went on a 21-4 run to break the game open and had a 68-48 lead with just more than six minutes remaining.

Mitrou-Long, Morris and guards Matt Thomas (13), Deonte Burton (11) and Donovan Jackson (10) were all in double figures. Morris is now third in ISU history with 208 career steals, and needs four to pass former Cyclones and NBA point guard Jeff Hornacek as the all-time school leader. Oklahoma's Kameron McGusty had 13 points.

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'It was definitely nice to come out of the game with a minute or two minutes left and get all those guys in there, and get (walk-on) Wes (Greder) in there,' Thomas said. 'That's what should have happened today. That's the way we need to play, especially at home.'

Freshman forward Solomon Young earned his first start against the Sooners, logging eight points, two rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes.

ISU coach Steve Prohm said senior Merrill Holden was held out Saturday because of 'concussion-like symptoms' experienced after taking a hit in practice. He added the decision to start Young, though, was based on watching the last game film and not Holden's unavailability.

'I would be surprised if we make another change,' Prohm said. 'I think it's good for Solomon going forward to be in that position. I think he's earned it and I think he's gotten a feel to where he knows what he needs to do for us.'

Young knows what his coach wants him to do: defend, rim run and grab rebounds. Inconsistencies in Young's minutes appear to be a thing of the past.

'I guess (sitting on the bench) tested my patience, but I always stay level headed,' Young said. 'I knew that it would be up and down, but I'm here now.

'Now I just want to maintain what I'm doing so I can help us win.'

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