Cyclones Drop Norfolk State, 57-49

[Jeremy]

Cyclones Drop Norfolk State, 57-49
Media Relations

AMES, Iowa—Wesley Johnson posted his second career double-double (15 points; 10 rebounds) as Iowa State defeated Norfolk State, 57-49 Sunday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State improves to 4-0 on the season, as ISU head coach Greg McDermott becomes just the third coach in school history to win his first four games.

Iowa State took control of the game early, going on an 18-3 run to move ahead 19-7. Corey McIntosh scored back-to-back driving baskets to cap off ISU’s spurt. ISU’s miscues allowed Norfolk State to hang around in the first half, as the Cyclones committed 11 turnovers in the first period while holding a 32-25 advantage. In its first four games, ISU has held its opponents to an average of 23.5 points in the opening period.

"Unfortunately, we played an awful lot like we practiced last week," said ISU head coach Greg McDermott. "We didn't approach the last two days with the urgency that we probably needed to. Not surprising to me, we played like we practiced. We had some guys making some good plays and some guys making some crazy plays. Hopefully we'll get there over time."

NSU closed the gap to 38-34 early in the second half, but ISU went on a 10-2 run to go ahead 48-36 with less than 10 minutes remaining. Freshman Cory Johnson tallied five points in the run, including a breakaway dunk where he converted a conventional 3-point play.

Mike Taylor finished with a season-low six points, but registered career-highs in assists (five) and steals (four). Dodie Dunson came off the bench to tally a career-high seven points. Corey McIntosh also chipped in with eight points and a career-high five dimes.

Iowa State hits the road for the first time this season on Tuesday (Nov. 21), traveling to Minneapolis to face the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Notes

- ISU is now 12-1 all-time against MEAC opponents.

- ISU head coach Greg McDermott is just the third coach in ISU history to win his first four games at the helm (Wayne Morgan-7; Louis Menze-4; Greg McDermott-4).

- ISU had made a 3-pointer in 36 consecutive games.

- In its first four games, ISU has held its opponents to an average of 23.5 points in the opening period.

- Dodie Dunson scored a career-high 7 points.

- Wesley Johnson scored a career-high 15 points, his third career double-digit scoring performance.

- Wesley Johnson’s game-high 15 points marks the first time this season where Mike Taylor did not lead the Cyclones in scoring.

- Wesley Johnson posted his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

- ISU was outshot from the field (37.7-39.1) for the first time this season.

- ISU shot more free-throws than its opponent all four games this season.

[isufox]

Team is looking good so far, but we cannot have our PG turning the ball over 11 times a game like Taylor did today. Against a great team this would destroy us.

[alaskaguy]

I thought Taylor was our SG?

[Bobber]

We'll finally see how good a team we really have when we play Minnesota on Tuesday. These early games have been good for an inexperienced team like us. Now we get to see see how we play against a legitimate Division 1 team from a power conference.

[CY ST8T]

Not to be pessimistic, but I think Norfolk State's post players gave us a glimpse of how weak our post defense is and how big of a struggle it will become down the road.

[isufox]

Originally Posted by alaskaguy

I thought Taylor was our SG?

My apologies, you are correct. Corey McIntosh is our PG. Still 11 turnovers is too many for any one person to have in a game. Just hope he can settle down is all.

[cgwarrior33]

Originally Posted by Bobber

We'll finally see how good a team we really have when we play Minnesota on Tuesday. These early games have been good for an inexperienced team like us. Now we get to see see how we play against a legitimate Division 1 team from a power conference.

Um, I wouldn't say Minnesota will show us how good we are. First of all the game will be played without Jiri. I think he will shoar some things up in the post. Second Minnesota lost to Winona State earlier this year. The same Winona State team beat Drake and lost to Bradley. All 3 games were on the road. Yes I know WSU is the defending D-II champs, but there should be a bigger difference between a Big 10 team and a D-II team. Honestly, I think the Bradley, UNI, and Iowa games will tell us more. Obviously the Ohio State game is going to tell us alot as well.

[cygoat]

Didn't Oklahoma beat Norfolk State by about 60pts? I was expecting a better showing. Sounds like a sloppy game. Hope things start improving dramatically.

[cycloneworld]

Originally Posted by cygoat

Didn't Oklahoma beat Norfolk State by about 60pts? I was expecting a better showing. Sounds like a sloppy game. Hope things start improving dramatically.

OU beat Norfolk State 99-36.

To describe our game: U-G-L-Y