MBB: ISU Outlasts Oklahoma, 58-51

[Jeremy]

MBB: ISU Outlasts Oklahoma, 58-51
Media Relations

AMES, Iowa—Jiri Hubalek poured in a career-high 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor as Iowa State survived a late Oklahoma rally to hang on to a 58-51 victory Tuesday night in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones improve to 13-12 overall and 4-7 in league play.

"Jiri is playing with a lot of confidence right now, but more importantly, his teammates have confidence in him," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "Oklahoma is a good basketball team. They are tough-minded and they don't make a whole lot of mistakes. It was a great win for us."

Oklahoma jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, as the Cyclones missed their first five shots of the contest. Hubalek got the Cyclones on the board with a baby hook in the paint, sparking a 14-0 run to push ISU out in front 14-5 with 12:48 remaining in the opening period. Hubalek tallied 11 points in the run on an array of post moves and his first trey in seven games. The Cyclone spurt became a 20-2 run until OU scored five quick points to make it a 20-12 game.

The Cyclones extended their lead to 32-17 at the break behind a late scoring flurry from Rahshon Clark, who scored 10 of ISU’s final 14 points of the half. Clark had scored just nine points total in his last four games combined. Oklahoma struggled in the first stanza, shooting just 30 percent from the field (6-20 FG) and committing 12 first half turnovers. The 17 points by OU in the first half ties for a season low for a Cyclone opponent this season.

Hubalek continued his torrid shooting early in the second half, scoring the first seven points as ISU opened up a 39-21 lead, its biggest margin of the contest, with 14:40 left in the game. The Sooners slowly began to chip away at the lead by going into the post. OU’s Longar Longar took over in the second half, scoring 10 of OU’s first 18 points after intermission to cut ISU’s lead to 45-35 with 9:01 remaining. Two more baskets by Longar shrunk ISU’s lead to four points (47-43) with 5:12 left. Longar scored all 20 of his points in the second half.

A pair of free-throws by Corey McIntosh and a putback by Hubalek boosted ISU back up in front 51-43. However, the Sooners would not go away. Two charity shots by Longar with :53.8 left cut the lead to 53-49. Wesley Johnson was called for traveling on ISU’s next possession, but OU’s Michael Neal missed on two 3-point attempts in the final minute. Taylor and Dodie Dunson then iced the game by going 5-of-6 from the line down the stretch.

"I told the guys to go out there and forget everything that has happened in the past and go out and play the game," McDermott added. "Tonight they did that. We came out not shooting so well to begin the game and the guys kept their heads up."

The Cyclones did an outstanding job shutting down OU’s Nate Carter. Carter, who was averaging 19.3 ppg in conference play, scored just two points and was shutout from the field. Mike Taylor reached a milestone in the game. The junior made a 3-pointer in his 21st-straight game, tying Dedric Willoughby (1996-97) for the school record for consecutive games with a trey. Taylor finished with 12 points.

ISU travels to Kansas State on Saturday, February 17. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.

Game Notes

- Mike Taylor made one 3-pointer tonight...he has made a 3-pointer in 21-straight games, tying the school record for 3-pointers made in consecutive games with Dedric Willoughby (1996-97).
- ISU has led at the half in five Big 12 games this season, going 2-3 in those games.
- Jiri Hubalek tallied a career-high 26 points...he is just the second Cyclone player this season to score over 20 points...Mike Taylor has done it nine times.
- Rahshon Clark tallied all 10 of his points in the first half...he had scored just nine points total in his previous four games.
- Jessan Gray had a career-high three blocks.
- Rahshon Clark scored in double figures for the first time vs. a Big 12 opponent with 10 points.
- Oklahoma’s 17 points in the first half ties for an ISU opponent season low (Louisiana-Monroe-17 1st half; Oklahoma State-17 1st half.
- ISU outrebounded OU, 30-29, the 14th time in the last 18 games where ISU won the battle of the boards.
- All of Iowa State’s made two-point field goals were in the paint (20 field goals).