Morris Completes ISU Comeback Over Iowa, 83-82

AMES, Iowa – Monté Morris' running floater with nine seconds left completed a 20-point comeback to defeat Iowa 83-82 Thursday night at Hilton Coliseum. The win improved ISU to 8-0 on the season for the third time in school history, and head coach Steve Prohm became the first Cyclone head coach to win his first eight games in charge.

Morris and Jameel McKay led Iowa State with 20 points each, while Matt Thomas had a career-high 19 points on six 3-pointers. With the win, Iowa's lead in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series has been reduced to 10-6 with four events to go.

How it Happened
The first half belonged to the Hawkeyes' Jarrod Uthoff, with the Iowa senior putting up a 20-minute performance for the ages. The Cedar Rapids native finished the first period with 30 points, on 11-of-13 shooting, which included a 5-of-6 effort from 3-point range. He also led the Hawkeyes on the glass with six rebounds.

Down 49-35 at the half, ISU worked to get Jameel McKay more involved to start the second half, with the senior center getting Iowa States first six points of the half. However, Iowa was able to find a new source of offense in Peter Jok, as the West Des Moines native drained 14 of Iowa's first 16 points in the second, a run that included three 3-pointers that got UI's lead back to 20 at 62-42.

The Iowa State rebuild happened slowly, but the Cyclones were finally able to get the Hawkeye lead down to single digits at 69-60 with a Monté Morris steal and score. The Hilton Coliseum faithful rose to their feet and helped the Cyclones get on a 10-0 run to bring the Hawkeye advantage down to five at 69-64.

The Iowa lead got down to one point at 71-70 when Georges Niang drained a 3-pointer from the left wing off a tipped out rebound by McKay. Both teams were on their game offensively, but Iowa was eventually able to back ahead by six at 80-74 when Anthony Clemmons drained a 3-pointer with 3:18 to go. The Cyclone offense made one final stand, as Thomas hit is sixth 3-pointer of the game to bring the game back to one possession at 82-79. A pair of Niang free throws got the UI lead back to one at 82-81, and the Cyclones forced a shot clock violation to get the ball back. Morris delivered again, with his runner with nine seconds to go giving Iowa State the lead at 83-82. Iowa got one more shot off by Uthoff, it hit off the rim twice, but did not go through the hoop, and ISU escaped with the win.

Cyclones of Note
Matt Thomas put in a career-high six3-pointers on the evening. He finished the game with a career-high 19 points.

Monté Morris' game-winner put him at 20 points for the evening, he also had nine assists.

Jameel McKay got his fourth double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Three of his four career games with at least 20 points have come this season.

Georges Niang struggled in the first half, but was crucial to the Cyclones getting back into the contest. He finished with 16 points, 12 of which came in the second half, six rebounds and five assists.

Cyclone Quick Hits
*Iowa State has scored at least 83 points in seven consecutive games.
*Matt Thomas recorded a career-high 19 points, his previous best was 17 against Texas last season.
*Jameel McKay finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, his fourth double-double of the season and ninth of his Iowa State career.
McKay also had his fourth career game scoring over 20 points, three of which have come this season.
*Monté Morris had his second 20-point game of the season.

Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum Sunday evening when the Cyclones take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tip will be at 5 p.m. with the game televised on Cyclones.TV Powered by Mediacom.

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Team Stats

Jameel McKay

Monte Morris

Matt Thomas

Georges Niang

Players Mentioned

Georges Niang

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