Sloppy Iowa State men roll late, win third in a row

The game before Christmas is always one basketball coaches are nervous about.

Iowa State Coach Greg McDermott fell victim to the trap a season ago, as South Dakota State stunned the Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum. Last night it was 1-11 North Dakota in town.

There would be no upset on this night, though ISU players were not as sharp as they have been during their three-game winning streak.

The 83-52 victory wasn't pretty, but it will make the 12-day break until the Cyclones (9-3) play again much easier to enjoy.

Merry Christmas.

“These games are always tough,” McDermott said. “The weather is on everybody's mind and guys are wanting to get out of here and get a jump before it hits. They don't have an opportunity to get home much. They are anxious and thinking about getting with their families.

“I'm glad to have it over with. It's good to get a win and move on.”

It took some time, but ISU did resemble its streaking self.

A sloppy first half that had most of a thin crowd groaning gave way a season-best 53 points after the break.

“We decided to just go after them and turn up the pressure and use our athletic ability,” McDermott said. “We played more like the team we have been recently.”

Marquis Gilstrap was one of six Cyclones to score in double figures.

The senior forward had his third double-double in four games with 15 points and 13 rebounds, 11 of which came in an ugly first half.

The Cyclones had more turnovers (11) than field goals (8) and shot 34.6 percent, including 2 of 13 from 3-point range.

Lucky, ISU did work on the defensive end and helped cause North Dakota to shoot even worse. The Fighting Sioux were 8 of 28 (29.6 percent) at the break and finished at exactly that.

They tried to turn the game into a free-throw shooting contest and played physical with ISU.

The Sioux committed 28 personal fouls and visibly frustrated several Cyclone players. Officials had to intervene after a couple of hard fouls.

“Stuff like that is going to happen. You can't let that get to you,” said guard Scott Christopherson, who finished with 10 points.

ISU hit on 16 of its 24 field goal attempts in the second half.

Its pressure defense also forced North Dakota into 15 turnovers. The Sioux had 23 for the game.

“Our pressure really wore into them and that when we were really able to break the game open,” Christopherson said.

Things finally came together on both ends.

“We started moving the ball a little more,” said forward Craig Brackins. “We adjusted and I think we did a good job in the second half.”

Brackins and Diante Garrett each had 12 points. LaRon Dendy came off the bench to score 13 points. Backup point guard Chris Colvin scored 10 and had four steals.

The only sore spot was free throws.

ISU was 24 of 44 from the line. Gilstrap was 10 of 15 and added seven assists.

“The free throws are baffling to me,” McDermott said. “I thought we were a pretty good shooting team.”

-- Eric Petersen, news correspondent