LAWRENCE, Kansas – Despite a strong first half, Iowa State (11-15, 4-9 Big 12) could not stick with No. 3 Kansas (23-3, 12-1 Big 12), as the Jayhawks prevailed Monday night 91-71 in Allen Fieldhouse.
Iowa States offense was outstanding in the first half, as the Cyclones went 9-of-12 from 3-point range. However, the Jayhawks made a late-run in the period to get ahead by double figures at the break and rode that momentum through the second half.
In defeat, Prentiss Nixon led Iowa State with 20 points, his most as a Cyclone. He was joined in double figures by Michael Jacobson (13) and Rasir Bolton (12).
How It Happened
Iowa State ripped off three treys in the first two minutes, two by Tre Jackson, to run out to a 9-3 advantage. The advantage was short lived, as the Jayhawks went on an 11-0 run to move ahead. The Cyclones did well to recover and moved ahead again at 16-15 on a George Conditt IV slam.
The first half saw two offenses hitting their peaks. Iowa State made nine of its first 11 3-point attempts, with multiple treys being converted by Michael Jacobson, Jackson and Prentiss Nixon. However, Kansas offense was even better, as the Jayhawks shot 20-of-33 from the field in the first half, led by 15 from Devon Dotson. KU finished the first half on a 12-5 run, building its advantage up to double figures and taking a 50-40 lead into the half.
Solomon Youngs put-back dunk got ISU within five at 50-45, but the Jayhawks were soon back onto the attack, with Udoka Azubuikes lay-in pushing the home team ahead by 13 at 63-50. Nixons lay-in to cut the lead to 12 was the start-point for KU to put the contest away with a 13-0 run which made it a 25-point game. Once again, the Jayhawk offense clicked, as they went 14-of-27 from the field in the second half.
Players of Note
Prentiss Nixon had one of his best offensive outputs as a Cyclone, as he racked up a season-high 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range. He has now been in double figures in three-straight contests.
Michael Jacobson followed up his season-high 21 vs. Texas on Saturday with 13 on Monday night against the Jayhawks. Jacobson also led the Cyclones with eight rebounds.
Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum on Saturday to take on Texas Tech. Tip between the Cyclones and Red Raiders will be at 5 p.m.
