Cyclones make another early exit at Big 12 tourney

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Iowa State tried its best to pull the second double-digit upset of the day at the Sprint Center.

At the end of the day – literally – No. 6 Texas had too much for the eleventh-seeded Cyclones in an 82-75 victory Wednesday night. An ISU-heavy crowd saw its team extend its string of first-round Big 12 Tournament exits to five and may have seen all-Big 12 forward Craig Brackins for the final time.

ISU (15-17, 4-12) waited all day to take the floor and watched as lower-seeded teams – including No. 12 Nebraska – picked off favorites. They weren't far off, but went more than 7 minutes of the second half without a field goal during which Texas (24-8, 9-7) built a double-digit lead.

Chris Colvin's 3-pointer and two free throws from Marquis Gilstrap pulled ISU to within 60-59 with 8:55 to play.

Eleven straight UT points later and the Cyclones were playing a game of catch-up they couldn't win. Brackins' tip dunk with just over 2 minutes to go was their next basket.

Damion James had a monster game for the Longhorns with 28 points and 16 rebounds.

The Cyclones had five double-figure scorers, led by Marquis Gilstrap's 17 points.

Brackins had 15 points and six rebounds.

Coach Greg McDermott took out he and Gilstrap in the closing seconds to a big hand from ISU fans. McDermott said afterwards that Gilstrap's appeal to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility was denied.

Texas scored the first seven points of the game and had ISU on the ropes right away.

The Cyclones recovered and led briefly, but trailed 31-28 at halftime despite hitting on just 38.7 percent of their field goal tries.

Forward Justin Hamilton picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench for the rest of the half with a third at the 10:50 mark. Reserve LaRon Dendy played well in his place, and finished with 12 points on 6 of 6 shooting.

Hamilton got only a few minutes of time in the second half before picking up foul No. 4.

He played just 11 minutes in all and his foul trouble helped Texas big man Dexter Pittman to collect 16 points, almost all from the painted area.

If it is indeed Brackins' final time in an ISU uniform, he leaves as one of the program's most decorated players.

He ranks 12

^th

on ISU's career scoring chart (1,539) and his 31 career double-double is fifth-most in school history.

Brackins could forgo his final season of eligibility for the NBA.

“It's up to him and what he feels is right at this time in his life,” Hamilton said. “If he leaves, great for him. If he stays, it's great too.”

The Cyclones may not be through playing this year.

They could still be invited to play in the 16-team College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Bids for that tournament are extended on Sunday.

“I haven't really thought about it at this point,” McDermott said. “That's something I'll discuss with our administration and our coaching staff when the season is over.”