Minnesota used a 13-3 run in the second half to take the lead for good as the Gophers downed Iowa State 68-58 in Ames. Freshman Craig Brackens had 23 points to lead ISU, senior forward Rashon Clark added 13 and said Minnesota’s pressure bothered the Cyclones.
The Gophers finished with nine steals. Clark says that’s one thing they have to work on, the turnovers, as that keeps teams in the game. Minnesota also totaled 17 offensive rebounds. Clark says they made the mistake of not boxing out and they took control of the game and got second chance points.
The Cyclones started quickly in the second half to grab the lead but coach Greg McDermott said they were not consistent enough to get the win. McDermott says it’s frustrating because they couldn’t throw the knock out punch when the got the lead early, and then again in the second half.
McDermott expects to find more opponents pressuring the Cyclones. He says they have to keep getting better and find a way to put the players in a better position to be successful when the other teams bring the heat.
McDermott said the Cyclones have little room for error and need to play a complete game to win. He says their inconsistency in all areas of the game hurts them. McDermott says youth is part of the problem, but he says it can’t be an excuse, and they have to play better. ISU is now 2-2.