Georges Niang had 28 points and Naz Long added 15 as Iowa State held off Alabama 84-74 in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City. The Cyclones improve top 3-0 on the young season.

“We had some stretches I’d sure like to forget out there, specifically coming out in the second half when they went to the zone,” ISU coach Fred Hoiberg says. But he says they got the pace back under control and held them to 38 percent shooting, which was a good sign

The Cyclones will play Maryland in tonight’s championship game. The Terrapins beat Arizona State 78-73. Hoiberg says they are really talented and he says they will have to come out and get prepared after a short night.