Hot Shooting Powers Iowa State Past San Diego State 87-57

After taking down Illinois yesterday, the Cyclones (5-1) faced the San Diego State Aztecs (3-2) in the Maui Invitational’s fifth place game. Through the first five games of the season, Iowa State has been able to get consistent good looks from behind the arc, but had been struggling with knocking them down, clocking in at just 30.6% from three on the season. However, that changed in a hurry against the Aztecs.

Nick Weiler-Babb, Marial Shayok, Tyrese Haliburton, and Terrence Lewis combined to go 9-of-15 from three point range in the first half while exploiting the Aztecs’ 2-3 zone. That’s the type of shooting that hasn’t been there this season, but was always waiting to emerge. The Cyclone also did a great job sharing and taking care of the basketball, as ten of their fourteen first half field goals came off assists, and they turned the ball over just twice.

The Cyclones continued to play well on both ends of the floor before Talen Horton-Tucker unleashed this dunk.

Throughout the second half, Iowa State continued to open up and maintain its lead through strong rebounding and transition scoring, with the Cyclones outrebounding the Aztecs 41 to 27 ,and outscoring them in transition 28 to 6.

The Cyclones leave Maui with a 2-1 record, and face Omaha next Monday in Hilton Coliseum.