Iowa State 4-2 In Big 12, Beats Texas Tech, 76-52

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LUBBOCK, Texas – Tyrus McGee was the spark Iowa State needed Saturday at United Spirit Arena. The junior scored 14 first-half points on his way to a career-high 20 as the Cyclones (14-5, 4-2 Big 12) defeated Texas Tech (7-11, 0-6 Big 12), 76-52.

The win was Iowa State's first in Lubbock since Mar. 1, 2000, snapping a five-game skid at TTU, and gave the Cyclones their first start of 4-2 or better in conference play since the 2003-04 season. The four conference wins surpasses Iowa State's Big 12 win total from last season.

The 24-point margin of victory tied for the greatest-difference in a Big 12 road game and third-largest in conference road games all-time with the Cyclones' 74-50 win at Texas A&M earlier this season and Iowa State's 82-58 win at Missouri in the 2005-06 season. That margin was also Iowa State's greatest against Texas Tech since the Cyclones' 72-52 win against the Red Raiders in Dec. 1955.

McGee had a career-high six 3-pointers in his 20-point game, giving McGee 11 three's in his last two outings. Joining McGee in double-figures was Chris Allen with 14 and Melvin Ejim with 13, including 11 second-half points.

The game got off to a sluggish start with both teams trading the lead nine times in the early going. The Cyclones needed a spark and it came courtesy of their sixth man McGee. Iowa State finally got some breathing room with its lead via a 7-0 run capped off by a McGee 3-pointer to make it 17-11.

After the Red Raiders reduced the Iowa State lead to 19-16, the Cyclones posted another 7-0 run, this time finished by a McGee dunk to make it 26-16 Iowa State. McGee kept up his solid play throughout the remainder of the first half, giving the Cyclones their biggest lead of the first stanza on a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to make it 35-23 going into the locker room.

McGee led the Cyclones in the first half with 14 points, only three off his-career high, on 5-of-9 shooting. McGee nailed four 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes. Allen and Scott Christopherson posted seven and five points, respectively in the first half.

Iowa State had other guys step up in the early proceedings of the second half, as Ejim posted seven of the Cyclones' first nine points to start the second stanza. Iowa State continued to build its lead, with it getting up to 24 points when Tavon Sledge got a lay-in the games dying moments to make it to the final socre of 76-52.

Texas Tech was led for the game by Robert Lewandowski. The senior filled up the box score with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots.

Iowa State continues its road trip with a game at Texas on Tuesday. Tip at the Erwin Center is slated for 8 p.m. CST.

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Team Stats

Tyrus McGee

Chris Allen

Melvin Ejim

Scott Christopherson

Players Mentioned

Chris Allen

Chris Allen

Scott Christopherson

Scott Christopherson

Melvin Ejim

Melvin Ejim

Melvin Ejim

Tyrus McGee

Tyrus McGee

Tavon Sledge

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