Iowa State struggles from 3-point line on both ends against UNI

DES MOINES — Getting Georges Niang into an isolation look at the top of the key with Iowa State down one had everyone on his bench feeling comfortable.

Niang took it off the dribble and was about to go into a spin toward the hoop to give the Cyclones a game-winning bucket, but lost his footing and went to the ground. Northern Iowa took it the other way as precious seconds ticked away.

'Unfortunate,' said Iowa State coach Steve Prohm. 'I would have done the same thing (again), try to get him isolated in the middle of the floor to drive the basket. We're in the double bonus, he had been effective there the whole game, it's just an unfortunate situation there.'

Northern Iowa's Wes Washpun cashed in one free throw to go up two with six seconds left and gave Monte Morris missed a floater, ISU's chance to send the game to overtime. Nine days after Morris' floater elevated the Cyclones to a win against Iowa, this shot along the baseline sailed over the rim and into the arms of Jameel McKay as time expired.

'He got a good look,' McKay said. 'I was surprised it was over because I thought it was going in. I didn't even know how much time was left. I just knew it was going in.'

A rough outing defensively and two missed chances at the end gave Iowa State the 81-79 loss to Northern Iowa — its first of the season. Niang poured in a game-high 30 points with four rebounds and four assists, but defensive breakdowns against a hot-shooting Panthers (7-3) squad was the difference.

The Cyclones (9-1) allowed Northern Iowa to shoot 58 percent from the field — 65.4 percent in the first half — while allowing 13-of-22 from 3-point range. Washpun had 28 points and 11 assists while Paul Jesperson had 21 points and seven 3-pointers in 22 minutes.

'It wasn't acceptable. We were basically giving some guys things, but that's something we're working on and looking to adjust,' Niang said. 'We can't have a team shoot 58 percent from the field and expect to win. There are some things to correct and we're still improving as a team and every day trying to get better.

'We had one downfall. I don't think that's going to determine who we are.'

In the absence of Naz Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas was inserted into the starting lineup, but managed just two points on five attempts. McKay had 18 points while Abdel Nader finished with 14. Niang, Nader and Deonte Burton — who made his ISU debut with seven points and three rebounds — were the only Cyclones to cash in from long range.

'I thought we had some good ones,' Prohm said. 'Matt in the corner out of the timeout I thought was a good one. Monte had a pull-up in transition, that was an open shot. (Abdel) shot all his early from the corner. I thought Georges, when you break his down. Hallice (Cooke) was even wide open. Three-for-17 from 3, that's tough. You make 4-for-17, everybody knows the whole [deal]. It changes the whole complexion of the game.'

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