Cyclones Fall To Second-Ranked Kansas, 83-59

LAWRENCE, Kan. ? Second-ranked Kansas scored 42 of its 83 points in the paint to defeat Iowa State, 83-59, Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Cyclones (12-7, 2-2 Big 12) were unable to contain KU's inside players as Darnell Jackson (21 points) and Darrell Arthur (16) combined for 37 points. The Jayhawks (19-0, 4-0) shot 50 percent (32-64) from the floor, becoming the fourth Cyclone opponent this season to make 50 percent of its shots.

“We felt like our best chance was to stay in front of their guards and I thought that they did a good job getting it inside and scoring it,” ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. “You have to credit coach Self and his staff because when you take one thing away they do a good job finding that and scoring in other ways.”

Wesley Johnson reached 20 points for the third straight game and fifth time this season, scoring 21 points to lead Iowa State. Craig Brackins reached double-figures for the fourth time in as many Big 12 games, chipping in 13 points in the loss.

As a team, ISU shot a season-low 31.1 percent (19-61) from the field. The Cyclones shot a season-high 28 3-pointers, making just six.

The Cyclones were unable to contain the Jayhawk big men and trailed 42-32 at the half. Kansas used a 14-4 run to go on top 19-9 with 9:30 remaining and increased its lead to 16 points at 42-26 on a fastbreak layup by Sherron Collins. ISU scored the final six points of the half on back-to-back long balls by Johnson and Bryan Peterson.

KU outscored the Cyclones 20-4 in the paint and shot 55.2 percent (16-29) as a team while limiting ISU to just 40 percent (10-25) shooting from the field in the opening period. The Cyclones managed to keep within striking distance because of Johnson, who finished the half with 12 points behind a pair of 3-pointers.

The second half was much of the same as KU used a 16-6 run to increase its lead to 20 (58-38) with 12 minutes remaining. The Cyclones wouldn't get closer than 18 the rest of the game as Kansas continued to pound it inside to take the 24-point win and remain among the nation's unbeaten.

The Cyclones will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Manhattan, Kan., to face Kansas State at 5 p.m.

Next Event

Team Stats

Wesley Johnson

Craig Brackins

Jiri Hubalek

Rahshon Clark

Players Mentioned

Craig Brackins

Craig Brackins

Wesley Johnson

Wesley Johnson

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics