Brackins Nets 33 But ISU Falls To Baylor, 74-67

WACO, Texas ? Freshman Craig Brackins poured in a career-high 33 points and eight 3-pointers but Iowa State was unable to overcome 19 turnovers as the Cyclones fell 74-67 to Baylor in the Big 12 opener for both schools at the Ferrell Center.

“It came down to the first 10 possessions of the first half and the middle 15 possessions of the second half,” said ISU head coach Greg McDermott. “We really melted down during those periods. We just made bad decisions with the ball during that time. You've got to give Baylor credit though because they played tough defensively.”

Brackins knocked down four long balls in each half en route to the best freshman scoring performance in school history. Curtis Stinson and Barry Stevens held the old mark of 32 points. The Palmdale, Calif. native finished 12-for-17 from the field and 8-for-10 from behind the arc to record his third game of 20 or more points this season. The eight 3-pointers, which is also a freshman record, ties for second all-time at ISU behind only Dedric Willoughby, who nailed nine in a 1997 loss to Kansas.

“Craig has always been a good three point shooter and he hasn't shot it all that well so far this season,” said McDermott. “We did a good job getting him some open looks and he knocked them down. He played a heck of a game, especially for a freshman, and he is going to be a special player for us.”

Iowa State fell behind 11-3 early in the first half but back-to-back 3-pointers by Brackins gave the Cyclones a 23-19 lead with 5:13 remaining in the opening stanza. ISU, which held Baylor scoreless for 4:58 while going on a 7-0 run to take the lead, added to its lead by closing the half on a 15-12 run that included two more long balls by Brackins and a conventional three-point play. Brackins finished the first half with 15 points for the Cyclones, who went into the half leading 38-31. Iowa State shot 41.6 percent (15-36) from the floor and held Baylor to just 30.5 percent (11-36) shooting in the opening period.

The Cyclones held onto a seven point lead with 15:26 remaining in the game before Baylor turned up the heat and went on a 22-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 59-36 with just 10:02 left in the game. ISU was able to close the gap to five (61-56) with just under four minutes remaining but that was all the closer the Cyclones would get as Baylor held on for the 74-67 win.

Wesley Johnson was ISU's only other player in double-figures with 11 points. Johnson added a season-high seven boards. Diante Garrett dished out a career-high seven assists in the loss.

Baylor had five players reach double-figures, led by Henry Dugat and Kevin Rogers, who each notched 15 points.

The Cyclones will be back in action on Wednesday when they open Big 12 home play against Missouri. Opening tip is slated for 7 p.m., with a special halftime ceremony to retire the late Cyclone great Barry Stevens' No. 35 jersey.

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Team Stats

Craig Brackins

Wesley Johnson

Jiri Hubalek

Diante Garrett

Players Mentioned

Craig Brackins

Craig Brackins

Diante Garrett

Diante Garrett

Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson

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