Blocked shots in the waning seconds by Dustin Hogue and Georges Niang preserved a 65-63 win as 17th ranked Iowa State edged Oklahoma State in its Big 12 opener in Ames. The Cyclones led by 11 in the second half before the Cowboys rallied. Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg says The South Carolina game probably helped them learn to keep their composure and not let things get away when they got behind.
It was a big win to start the league race. “I was proud of how we played down the stretch, even when we weren’t scoring we found a way to get stops,” Hoiberg says. He says they also made the big play when they had to on offense.
Hogue led ISU with 17 points, Niang and Matt Thomas has 10 each as the Cyclones improve to 11-2. Iowa State visits West Virginia on Saturday night.