Iowa State Knocks Off No. 9 Baylor

Iowa State is peaking at the right time. Steve Prohm has his guys playing their best basketball of the season and today, it led to a 72-69 upset win over No. 9 Baylor. The Bears made things interesting toward the end of the game with a few big threes, but Iowa State was able to hold on and keep themselves in the race for a second place finish in the Big 12.

Deonte Burton kept Iowa State in it in the first half, tallying 15 points in the first frame. At the half, the game was tied at 36 points apiece.

Baylor held the Cyclones scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half, but after that, things started to get interesting. Both teams traded buckets with a total of nine lead changes and thirteen ties in the game. A big 3-point basket in transition by Donovan Jackson with 8:04 left in the game seemed to shift all the momentum to Iowa State’s side and gave them a 53-48 lead.

When the clock was running down with ISU still holding a 1-2 possession lead, Baylor opted to foul Solomon Young on a couple occasions to send him to the line for a 1-and-1. On the first, Young nailed both free throws right down the heart. However, the second time proved fruitful for Baylor as Young missed both free throws with 11 seconds left on the clock, ISU up five points.

BU’s King McClure proceeded to hit a 3-pointer for the Bears to make it a two point game with four seconds left in the game. ISU inbounded it to Monte Morris, who was fouled with one second left on the clock. Morris made one of two, giving Baylor one last desperation opportunity, but they couldn’t convert and the Cyclones escaped with a big conference victory.

Iowa State did so many things right tonight. They did, however, get smashed on the glass and allowed Johnathan Motley to go for 27 points and 11 rebounds. ISU was out-rebounded as team, 37 to 17.

Deonte Burton finished the game with a game-high 22 points. Monte Morris had his usual night with 17 points to go along with his 7 assists. Naz Mitrou-Long and Solomon Young each scored in double figures.

The win puts ISU in a tie with West Virginia for second place in the Big 12 standings. Iowa State will have Oklahoma State coming up on senior night on Tuesday and then finish out the regular season with West Virginia in Morgantown on Friday.

The Oklahoma State-Iowa State game is Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.