Iowa State drops fourth in a row, as they fall to #13 West Virginia 76-61

Steve Prohm decided to switch up the starting lineup for the fifth time this season. Solomon Young and Tre Jackson entered the lineup–as usual starters Prentiss Nixon and George Conditt IV hit the pine.

Iowa State looked like they were sleep walking to begin this one. Out of the gate they had two turnovers and three fouls in less than five minutes of game time.

On the offensive end ISU struggled to find open shots, except for Michael Jacobson who knocked down two fadeaway jumpers. The Cyclones quickly trailed by nine at the first media timeout.

Tyrese Haliburton did his best to keep Iowa State alive as his point total grew to five with just under twelve minutes remaining in the first half. Unfortunately West Virginia’s hot shooting start continued. The Mountaineers were 9/11 from the field and their lead grew to 12.

Steve Prohm’s second unit was not able to give the Cyclones any spark, as West Virginia’s lead grew to 14 with 7:23 remaining.

Overall, the 13th ranked Mountaineers’ second ranked defense combined with their hot shooting start, proved to be too much to overcome for the Cyclones in the first half.

Iowa State finished with nine turnovers, nine fouls and only 10 field goals in the first half, while West Virginia’s near 60% shooting half turned into a 14 point deficit for ISU.

To start the second half, Rasir Bolton continued to be the only offense the Cyclones could find. He hit a floater in the lane, another three and he even knocked down two free throws to increase his point total to 17 on the night. Iowa State trailed by 18 with 14:43 remaining.

It would only get worse for the Cyclones as Derek Culver’s seven second half points opened the Mountaineers lead up to 22 at the under 12 minute media timeout.

It looked like Iowa State waved the white flag down the stretch as the lead would balloon all the way up 24 with just under six minutes left to play.

West Virginia’s ridiculous 18 total offensive rebounds was ultimately too much for the Cyclones as they eventually cut the deficit to a respectable 15. The #13 Mountaineers would win 76-61.