Cyclones storm back against Kansas State, 72-70

AMES - Twenty-two and a half seconds showed on the clock.

And Iowa State's Royce White wasn't letting go of the ball - until it counted.

White dribbled down the clock, then drove and sank a short baseline jumper with 1.8 seconds left, propelling the Cyclones to an improbable 72-70 comeback win over Big 12 rival Kansas State before 13,456 at Hilton Coliseum.

White scored a game-high 22 points, including three dunks.

The Wildcats' Will Spradling tried to get a shot off near midcourt, but failed.

ISU (16-6, 6-3) trailed 53-39 before guard Chris Allen fueled the furious rally. Allen scored nine of his 15 points in the final 10 minutes.

The Cyclones (16-6, 6-3) won after trailing at halftime for the first time this season. They entered the game 0-4 when down at the break.

Kansas State (15-6, 4-5) lost their second straight game - and saw a unique five-game win streak at Hilton snapped.

ISU started strong, with White zipping a bounce pass to a cutting Melvin Ejim for a layup. Ejim and Chris Babb added two more baskets early, putting the Cyclones up 6-2.

But the Wildcats answered immediately, springing a 7-0 run on ISU fueled by five points from Angel Rodriquez. He and reserve guard Martavious Irving proved hard to contain in the first half. Irving scored 11 points before the break - nearly double his average.

The battle on the boards broke Kansas State's way, as well. The Wildcats grabbed 21 rebounds to the Cyclones' 13 in the first half. They also secured seven offensive boards to ISU's one before the break and led, 36-29, after 20 minutes.

It was just the second time all season the Cyclones trailed entering halftime.

The first time, Northern Iowa led 33-28 and won 69-62.

KANSAS ST. (15-6)

Rodriguez 4-7 0-1 8, McGruder 5-16 0-0 11, Samuels 4-6 1-1 11, Gipson 5-7 3-3 13, Spradling 2-6 1-2 6, Southwell 0-0 1-2 1, Irving 4-5 0-0 11, Ojeleye 1-5 1-2 3, Diaz 3-3 0-0 6, Henriquez 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 28-58 7-11 70.

IOWA ST. (16-6)

Babb 3-5 1-2 8, Ejim 3-4 0-0 6, Allen 5-8 2-2 15, Christopherson 1-6 9-11 11, White 10-17 2-7 22, Booker 0-1 2-2 2, Gibson 2-3 1-2 5, McGee 1-5 0-0 3. Totals 25-49 17-26 72.

Halftime_Kansas St. 36-29. 3-Point Goals_Kansas St. 7-12 (Irving 3-3, Samuels 2-2, McGruder 1-2, Spradling 1-3, Ojeleye 0-1, Rodriguez 0-1), Iowa St. 5-11 (Allen 3-4, McGee 1-3, Babb 1-3, Booker 0-1). Fouled Out_Rodriguez. Rebounds_Kansas St. 34 (Ojeleye 10), Iowa St. 31 (White 8). Assists_Kansas St. 14 (Rodriguez, Spradling 5), Iowa St. 9 (Christopherson, White 4). Total Fouls_Kansas St. 21, Iowa St. 16. A_13,456.

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