TTU Rallies Past No. 14 Cyclones in OT, 85-82

LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 14 Iowa State saw Texas Tech make a late run to force overtime and eventually defeat the Cyclones 85-82 in overtime Wednesday night at United Supermarkets Arena. The loss drops ISU to 17-7 on the season, 6-5 in Big 12 play. TTU is now 14-9 overall and 4-7 in conference play.

Deonte Burton led the ISU offense with 20 points, the most of his Cyclone career. Abdel Nader had 19 points, while Georges Niang stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

How it Happened
Iowa State's early advantage was thanks to Abdel Nader. After the senior was held scoreless at Oklahoma State last Saturday, it took Nader less than a minute to get on the board this time. He demonstrated his versatility immediately, taking the ball to the rack and showing some range as he had seven of Iowa State's first 12 points. After ISU built a 30-22 lead, TTU's Devaugntah Williams ran off eight in a row to tie it at 30-30, the teams would trade buckets en route to a 37-37 halftime deadlock.

Deonte Burton and Nader teamed up for five points each to start the second half as the Cyclones retook control of the scoreboard. TTU stuck with Iowa State, keeping ISU within five points for a bit before Monté Morris drove to the hole to get up seven at 51-44. Both teams continued to play relatively efficient ball, but it was the Cyclones who were just a little stronger, as an alley-oop from Morris to Burton gave ISU its biggest lead of the game at 67-58.

The Red Raiders continued to hang around, eventually hitting some 3-pointers to help reduce the Iowa State advantage to two points at 74-72. Morris rose his game, doing what he does best distributing the ball and becoming more active on the offensive end to help keep ISU ahead. TTU made one last stand, beginning to press the Cyclone offense and create opportunities in transition.

With ISU up three, Nader fouled out of the game on an intentional foul, which led to a two-point possession by TTU that cut the ISU edge to a single point at 78-77. After an empty ISU possession, Tech drew a foul on Burton and drained one to tie the game with 32.7 seconds to play. Morris' 3-pointer clanged off the iron, and TTU's half-court heave hit off the top of the backboard, forcing overtime.

It took 1:43 for either team to get on the board in OT, but it was the Cyclones who got up first as Burton got a lay-in via Morris. After a pair of Tech free throws, the game was deprived of scoring for another 1:28 until Texas Tech's Keenan Evans banked in a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to take an 83-80 lead. Niang made two from the line to bring the TTU lead back down to one, but Zach Smith stepped up and drained two of his own to bring the lead back to three. Matt Thomas got the final look for the game for Iowa State from the wing, but his shot clanged off the rim and TTU picked up the win.

Cyclone of Note: Deonte Burton. Among the starting five for the second-straight game, Burton showed off his versatility on both sides of the ball and from all-around the court. Burton finished the game with 20 points, his highest output as a Cyclone. He becomes the seventh different Iowa Stater to finish a game with at least 20 points in 2015-16.

Cyclone Quick Hits
*Abdel Nader recorded 19 points, his 16th game in double figures this season and 51st of his career.
*Monté Morris became the 32nd member of Iowa State's 1,000 point club. He now ranks 31st in ISU history with 1,003 career points.
*Morris posted 12 points, his 21st game of the campaign in double figures and 58th of his career.
*Deonte Burton checked in with 20 points, giving him eight games in double figures this season.
*Burton becomes the seventh Cyclone this season to score over 20-points in a game.
*Georges Niang posted 18 points, his 33rd-consecutive game in double figures and 104th of his Cyclone career.
*Niang finished with six assists, moving him to 380 dimes for his career, passing Justus Thigpen (374) for 10th in Iowa State history for career assists.
*Niang now ranks third in ISU history for career games played (127), is tied for fourth with Jake Sullivan (2001-04) in career game started (115) and is fourth in career field goals made (744)
*NIang is now the eighth player in Big 12 history to record 1,000 career points in conference play (1,008). He also passed Buddy Heild of Oklahoma for 10th in Big 12 history in career scoring (1,966).

Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum Saturday to take on No. 24 Texas. Tip between the Cyclones and Longhorns will be at 7:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN.

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Team Stats

Deonte Burton

Abdel Nader

Georges Niang

Monte Morris

Players Mentioned

Deonte Burton

Georges Niang

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