Cyclones Shoot Down Georgia in NIT

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Jackson Vroman scored 23 points, Curtis Stinson had 21 and Iowa State shot a school-record 74.4 percent in beating Georgia 82-74 Wednesday night in the first round of the NIT.

The Cyclones (18-12) were 17-for-21 from the field in the second half, but could not pull away until scoring 11 straight points for a 68-56 lead with 3:37 left.

Georgia (16-14) hung with Iowa State by making 12 of 27 3-point shots. Most of Iowa State's 29 field goals were layups or short jumpers.

Damien Wilkins went 5-for-6 from 3-point range and led Georgia with 20 points. Jonas Hayes added 12, while Rashad Wright and Levi Stukes each scored 11.

Marcus Jefferson scored 11 for Iowa State and Jake Sullivan 10.

Iowa State's old record for field goal accuracy was .691 against Chaminade on Nov. 23, 1990.

The Cyclones will play Florida State in the second round.

Georgia took a 55-54 lead on Steve Newman's 3-pointer with 8:30 left, but over the next 5:17, the Bulldogs managed only one point - a free throw by Wright that left them trailing 57-56 with 6:49 remaining

Vroman, who is right-handed, then hit a leaning left-handed shot to start the decisive run. Stinson, who was 9-for-10 from the field, followed with a floater in the lane and a 3-pointer, Sullivan hit a fadeaway and Jefferson sank two free throws.

After that, the Cyclones just had to make enough free throws to stay ahead, and they did.

Georgia continued to foul even when it was evident Iowa State would win, much to the consternation of the crowd. Iowa State's Will Blalock was fouled with less than two seconds remaining and, as if making a point, threw up a high arching shot on his second attempt. It swished.

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Team Stats

Jackson Vroman

Curtis Stinson

Marcus Jefferson

Jake Sullivan

Players Mentioned

Will Blalock

Will Blalock

Marcus Jefferson

Marcus Jefferson

Curtis Stinson

Curtis Stinson

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Jackson Vroman

Jackson Vroman

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics