Iowa State Beats Providence In South Padre, 64-54

STATS | MEDIA CONFERENCE

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Chris Allen scored 15 points and Tyrus McGee poured in 14 points to help Iowa State knock off previously unbeaten Providence, 64-54 Friday night at the South Padre Island Invitational in South Padre Island, Texas.

The Cyclones improve to 4-1, while the Friars fall to 4-1.

Providence briefly took a lead early in the second half, but Chris Babb answered with a trio of three-pointers in a three-minute stretch to help the Cyclones go up 41-34. Providence cut the lead down to three points on two occasions, but Iowa State always had an answer. McGee buried a big 3-pointer to make it 53-45 ISU with 6:15 left in the game. Allen then hit the dagger trey to push the Cyclone lead to 63-52 with just under three minutes remaining.

McGee and Bubu Palo, who played the majority of the second half with Allen in foul trouble, set the tone defensively. They helped lock down the Friars' top scorer Bryce Cotton, who had just six points after bringing in an 18.0 ppg average into the tournament. The Cyclones also outrebounded Providence, 46-27. Royce White led all players with a career-high 16 boards.

"That was our best defensive game of the year," Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg said. "We had each other's back, which is something we have been stressing all week. We didn't shoot the ball great tonight, but our defense kept us in the game."

Iowa State held a 28-24 lead at the break, holding Providence to under 40 percent from the field. Allen scored 11 of ISU's first 14 points before getting into foul trouble.

Scott Christopherson then took over, hitting a couple of long bombs to give ISU its largest first-half lead at 28-21 with just under three minutes left in the opening period. White had eight first half rebounds.

The Cyclones made 11-of-30 shots from 3-point range, the fourth time in five games where ISU made 10 or more treys in a game.

Iowa State will face Rice tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the championship round of the tournament.

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Team Stats

Chris Allen

Tyrus McGee

Chris Babb

Scott Christopherson

Players Mentioned

Chris Allen

Chris Allen

Chris Babb

Chris Babb

Scott Christopherson

Scott Christopherson

Tyrus McGee

Bubu Palo

Bubu Palo

Royce White

Royce White

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics