Christopherson tops 1,000 as ISU tops Sooners, 80-69

AMES - Iowa State guard Scott Christopherson passed the reporter's question to his coach, Fred Hoiberg.

“Do you think about scoring 1,000 points or 2,000?” Christopherson, who surpassed the 1,000 point mark Saturday, asked one of the Cyclones' all-time greats.

Hoiberg smiled.

“You've got 993 to go to catch me,” he quipped, approximating the difference.

Good feelings abounded after Christopherson poured in a season-high 25 points, eclipsed that four-figure milestone and led ISU to an 80-69 Big 12 win over Oklahoma before a sellout crowd of 14,376 at Hilton Coliseum.

“I enjoyed watching him,” said teammate Percy Gibson, who came off the bench to score a Big 12 career-high 11 points.

Christopherson joined the career 1,000 points club, but needs 18 to reach that plateau in a Cyclone uniform.

Hoiberg scored 1,993 points in his ISU career.

Christopherson's now at 1,006 career points, compiled during his stay at Marquette and three seasons in Ames.

“It's not why I want to play,” said Christopherson, who scored eight points during a decisive 13-0 second-half ISU run. “It's a great accomplishment. It's really humbling.”

The Sooners fell to 13-13 and 3-11, including two losses to the Cyclones.

ISU (19-8, 9-5) seeks to reach at least 20 overall wins and 10 conference victories for the first time since 2003-04 as the regular season winds down.

“I think the biggest thing is if we keep finding a way to be successful these last four games,” said Christopherson, who hit 5 of 8 3-point attempts. “I'll definitely remember playing in the NCAA Tournament for the rest of my life. It's something I'm striving for.”

ISU led by just five points, at 46-41, with 11:04 left.

Gibson then drove the baseline for a reverse layup, igniting the 13-0 splurge.

“I definitely felt like I was in the flow of the game,” the freshman from Detroit said.

The Cyclones won their fifth straight conference home game - even as leading scorer Royce White battled foul trouble and finished with four points, eight assists and five rebounds in 23 minutes.

“We just kept grinding away,” Christopherson said.

Shooting guard Chris Babb bottled up Oklahoma leading scorer Steven Pledger, holding him to seven points.

“He was unbelievable,” Hoiberg said of Babb.

Cyclone reserve forward Anthony Booker didn't play.

“Coaches decision,” Hoiberg said.

Gibson rose up in Booker's absence, grabbing seven rebounds - also a personal best in Big 12 play.

“He's so crafty down there,” Hoiberg said.

ISU forward Melvin Ejim showed resolve on both ends of the floor, notching his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

“Every shot that went up, Melvin was getting that rebound,” Hoiberg said.

Ejim endured a tough day on two fronts, too.

In the first half, he injured his shoulder while fighting for a loose ball.

“He's iced right now,' Hoiberg said. “He'll see Doc (today) to make sure it's OK.”

In the second half, Ejim added extra oomph on a screen and was ejected.

Hoiberg does not expect him to miss Tuesday's home game against Texas Tech since he did not instigate a fight or throw a punch.

“Usually they catch the second guy,” Hoiberg said.

OKLAHOMA (13-13)

Grooms 5-11 2-4 12, Pledger 2-11 3-4 7, Fitzgerald 1-5 0-0 2, Clark 8-14 0-0 16, Osby 3-9 4-5 10, Franklin 0-0 0-0 0, Washington 0-0 0-0 0, Blair 4-5 3-3 12, Neal 4-7 0-0 10. Totals 27-62 12-16 69.

IOWA ST. (19-8)

Babb 2-3 0-0 5, Ejim 4-6 2-4 10, Allen 6-12 0-0 16, Christopherson 9-15 2-2 25, White 1-4 2-4 4, Railey 0-2 0-0 0, Gibson 4-7 3-4 11, McGee 2-5 4-6 9. Totals 28-54 13-20 80.

Halftime_Iowa St. 37-28. 3-Point Goals_Oklahoma 3-13 (Neal 2-5, Blair 1-2, Grooms 0-1, Osby 0-1, Pledger 0-4), Iowa St. 11-22 (Christopherson 5-8, Allen 4-7, Babb 1-2, McGee 1-4, Ejim 0-1). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Oklahoma 28 (Fitzgerald 8), Iowa St. 40 (Ejim 14). Assists_Oklahoma 14 (Grooms 5), Iowa St. 20 (White 8). Total Fouls_Oklahoma 19, Iowa St. 14. Technical_Ejim. Ejected_. Ejections_Ejim. A_14,376.

[nggallery id=817]