No. 3 Iowa State is off to its best start in school history and coach T.J. Otzelberger believes what goes on in the locker room has a lot to do with it.
The Cyclones (15-0, 2-0 Big 12) will try to keep the run going Saturday when they host Oklahoma State (13-2, 1-1) in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State found itself in a back-and-forth Big 12 battle with Baylor Wednesday when Joshua Jefferson hit a shot right before half to give the Cyclones a 25-24 lead at the break.
The Cyclones went on a 14-1 run to start the second half to spark a 70-60 win over the Bears.
“I think it gives you a different psyche when you go into the locker room and you are in front,” Otzelberger said. “I think that was a huge momentum play going into the second half. I’m proud of our guys because we have been a team that, when we come out of the locker room, we have adjusted to what is going on in the game and on defense we are able to ramp it up and that sets the tone for the half.”
The clutch shot before the half was not the only big play for Jefferson against Baylor. The senior forward scored 19 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.
Jefferson, who is second on the Cyclones with 5.2 assists per game, said Big 12 play is helping motivate him as there are no nights off.
“Every team in this league is really good,” said Jefferson, who is averaging 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds. “We are going to get everyone’s best shot every night.”
Senior guard Tamin Lipsey led the Cyclones with 24 points against Baylor and is averaging 14.8 points and 5.6 assists per game.
The Cowboys are coming off an 87-76 Big 12 win over No. 25 UCF on Tuesday.
Oklahoma State held the Knights to a season-low 76 points after giving up 102 in its Big 12 opener against Texas Tech.
The defense made Cowboys coach Steve Lutz feel much more at ease.
“Saturday at Lubbock was very disappointing, and that one hurt because I expected us to compete,” Lutz said after the UCF game, per Sports Illustrated. “And Texas Tech’s really good, and Central Florida’s really good as well, but I expected us to compete better, and I thought that the competitive side of our basketball game (Tuesday) was much better. And anytime we can do that, I think we’re gonna give ourselves an opportunity.”
The Cowboys played without starter Christian Coleman and his 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Coleman was out with the flu and may play Saturday.
UCF made runs at the Cowboys but finished at just 37.5% from the floor (27-for-72) and an abysmal 7-for-33 from the 3-point line.
Even without Coleman, the Cowboys’ offense was clicking against the Knights.
Oklahoma State shot 47.2% from the floor (25-for-53) and nailed 10 of their 19 3-point attempts.
The Cowboys attacked the basket, which resulted in 35 free-throw attempts. They made 27 of them, including 15 of 19 in the second half.
Parsa Fallah led the way against the Knights with 24 points. The senior forward from Iran is averaging 14.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Kanye Clary had a breakout game with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
–Field Level Media
