Cyclones Down Eastern Illinois, 56-54

AMES, Iowa?Eastern Illinois's Mike Robinson missed a desperation shot at the buzzer as Iowa State survived a late Panther rally, 56-54 Sunday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum. With the win, the Cyclones, who improve to 3-0 on the season, claimed the title at the 2006 American Family Insurance BTI Cyclone Challenge.

"We lacked energy today," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "We competed last night and Friday's game took a lot out of us too. I like the execution when we needed it. We got some high-lows and Jessan Gray played a great second half. When the game was on the line, we didn't get one, but two stops."

Iowa State held a 29-22 halftime lead, holding Eastern Illinois to 33.3 percent shooting from the field. The Cyclones weren't much better offensively, connecting on 36.7 percent from the floor in the opening stanza. The Panthers went almost seven minutes without scoring to allow ISU to hold the halftime advantage. Wesley Johnson had eight points and nine rebounds in the first half to pace the Cyclones.

Both teams heated up in the second half. EIU scored the first six points of the second period behind two buckets by Billy Parrish to cut the lead to 29-28. ISU then answered with five-straight points when Corey McIntosh hit a trey in the corner. Neither team could stop each other for a long stretch in the second half, as both teams traded baskets to make it a 47-45 ISU advantage with under six minutes remaining. Mike Taylor hit a trey and a driving shot to the hoop to help on back-to-back possessions to help ISU cling to a 54-50 lead with 3:13 remaining.

With ISU leading 55-54, EIU's Bobby Catchings missed a turnaround jumper with :06 left in regulation. Rahshon Clark corralled the rebound and was promptly fouled. He made one of two shots at the charity stripe before Robinson's desperation shot at the horn was off.

Taylor finished with 14 points to lead ISU for the third consecutive game. Taylor was named MVP of the tournament, averaging 17.0 ppg in the three games. Wesley Johnson was also named to the all-tournament team, recording eight points and nine rebounds in the victory. Clark had nine points and 12 boards to help ISU, recording his fourth double-digit rebounding effort of his career.

ISU plays host to Norfolk State next Sunday (Nov. 19) at 1 p.m.

American Family Insurance BTI Cyclone Challenge All-Tournament Team.

Mike Taylor (Iowa State), MVP

Wesley Johnson (Iowa State)

Lance Brasher, (Louisiana-Monroe)

Tony Hooper (Louisiana-Monroe)

Justin Bell (UC Riverside)

Bobby Catchings (Eastern Illinois)

Game Notes

ISU is now 24-2 all-time in the Cyclone Challenge since its inception in the 1995-96 season...ISU's two losses were to San Jose State (2001) and Iona (2005).

ISU is now 2-0 vs. Eastern Illinois and 8-1 vs. Ohio Valley Conference teams.

ISU's opponents are averaging 23.0 points in the first half.

Rahson Clark tallied his fourth double-digit rebounding performance of his career with 12 boards.

ISU had less turnovers (11) than assists (14) for the first time this season.

Mike Taylor has led ISU in scoring in all three games this season.

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Team Stats

Mike Taylor

Rahshon Clark

Wesley Johnson

Cory Johnson

Players Mentioned

Rahshon Clark

Rahshon Clark

Jessan Gray

Jessan Gray

Wesley Johnson

Corey McIntosh

Mike Taylor

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics