Cowboys Fall At Desperate Iowa State

Will Clyburn scored 20 points to lead the Iowa State Cyclones past Oklahoma State 87-76 Wednesday night in Ames. 

The game was thought to be of great importance to the Cyclones (20-10, 10-7) who are looking for quality wins for their NCAA Tournament resume.  ISU answered the call in front of a rowdy Hilton Colloseum, shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and outrebounding the Pokes 35-28.   

Marcus Smart led Oklahoma State (22-7, 12-5) with 24 points, eight rebounds and five steals, but shot just 8-23 from the floor.  Le'Bryan Nash and Markel Brown chipped in 14 points apiece for OSU, but no other Cowboy reached double-figures.  OSU shot 41.5 percent from the floor as a team, including a woeful 4-22 (18.2 percent) from 3-point range. 

The Cyclones had five players in double-figures, including Georges Niang's 18 and Melvin Ejim's 13.  Korie Lucious added 11 while Tyrus McGee chipped in 14 off the bench. Iowa State not only shot well, they shared it well too.  ISU recorded 21 assists on just 27 made-baskets, while Oklahoma State also made 27 total shots but recorded just 11 assists. 

Another big advantage for ISU was the free-throw differential.  The Cyclones shot just 74 percent from the line, but earned 35 attempts to OSU's 20.  The Cowboys made 18 of those 20, but it wasn't enough. 

The Cowboys will now return to Stillwater for Senior Day against No. 9 Kansas State on Saturday.  OSU fell 73-67 to KSU earlier this season in Manhattan.  The game is sold out.