Hubalek Leads ISU Past NDSU, 67-54

Sunday, December 31

Ames, Iowa

1:00 PM

Iowa State

9-5

North Dakota State

8-5

Team	1	2	F
North Dakota State	21	33	54
Iowa State	24	43	67

12.31.2006 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa?Jiri Hubalek posted a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds to help Iowa State defeat North Dakota State, 67-54 Sunday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones end their non-conference slate at 9-5, while the Bison fall to 8-5.

"This was a great game to prepare us for Big 12 competition," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "Jiri really helped us. He was rewarded today for all of his hard work in practice. He has really bought into our system and practiced well. He made some big baskets as the game went on."

Poor shooting plagued both teams in the first half. Iowa State, which made just 2-of-its-first-15 shots to open the game, shot 32.3 percent from the field in the opening half. However, the Cyclones were able to hang onto a slim 24-21 halftime lead thanks to North Dakota State hitting just 26.7 percent of its shots (8-30 FG). ISU scored the final seven points of the half behind four points from Jiri Hubalek and a 3-pointer by Brock Jacobson.

Iowa State extended its lead to 46-36 with 7:48 remaining in the game, going on a 16-6 run. Mike Taylor hit two deep treys to pace ISU in its run. Taylor came up huge for the Cyclones in the second half, scoring all 17 of his points after intermission. ISU was up by as much as 13 points until NDSU cut the lead to seven points (56-49) with less than four minutes remaining. Taylor came through again for ISU, answering with a runner in the paint to stop NDSU's momentum. The Bison were never able to get into synch offensively. NDSU finished the game by hitting just 30.2 percent from the field.

Hubalek had his most productive game of the season and perhaps career. The junior center came off the bench to record his third career double-double with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds.

"Coach McDermott has really done a good job trying to make me better," Hubalek said. "He (Coach McDermott) has stuck with me and I appreciate all of his help and effort."

Rahshon Clark tallied 12 points and tied a career-high with four blocks. Clark has the 10^th-most blocks in school history with 66. Wesley Johnson struggled offensively, but managed to grab 11 boards, his fifth double-digit rebounding effort in the last seven games.

ISU begins Big 12 play next Saturday at Missouri. Tip is set for 5 p.m.

Game Notes

- Rahshon Clark made one 3-pointer...he now ranks 12^th by himself on the ISU career 3-pointers made chart with 76.

- ISU's 24 points in the first half ties for the lowest half output of the season (Northern Iowa- 24 in the first half).

- Mike Taylor has hit a 3-pointer in 10 consecutive games.

- ISU's eight blocks is the second-highest total of the season.

- Wesley Johnson recorded 11 rebounds, his seventh double-digit rebounding effort of the season and fifth in his last seven games.

- Jiri Hubalek recorded a career-high 19 points and had 11 rebounds, his third double-double of his career.

- ISU outrebounded the Bison, 46-34...the Cyclones have outrebounded six of its last seven opponents by a +8.1 margin.

- Rahshon Clark tied his career-high with four blocked shots.