Morris' Career Night Takes ISU to 96-86 Win

STILLLWATER, Oklahoma – Monté Morris guided Iowa State to a 96-86 win over Oklahoma State Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The win, ISU's fifth in the last six games, fourth in a row in Stillwater and eighth in a row against Oklahoma State, moved the Cyclones to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play. The Cowboys dropped to 10-6 and 0-4 in league play.

Morris, who just today was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list, racked up a career-best 30 points, while also dishing out five assists with no turnovers in 39 minutes of work. Four other Cyclones scored in double figures: Matt Thomas (19), Nazareth Mitrou-Long (17), Darrell Bowie (13) and Deonte Burton (12).

How it Happened
Iowa State's effort on the defensive end was crucial in the first minutes of the game, as hustle plays by Monté Morris saddled OSU star Jawun Evans with two fouls just 2:41 into the game. The Cowboys struggled without their point guard, as five turnovers led ISU to a 14-4 advantage.

Foul trouble began to hit the visitors, as Darrell Bowie, Deonte Burton, Nazareth Mitrou-Long and Nick Weiler-Babb all got two fouls in the first 11 minutes of action. The attrition eventually caught up with the Cyclones, as OSU hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a two point contest at 38-36 ISU. The Cowboys got their first lead of the game via a 3-pointer from Jeffrey Carroll, but Morris willed ISU back ahead at 47-46 going into the half.

A combination of cold shooting and more foul issues caught up with Iowa State in the second half as Oklahoma State moved ahead by five, at 64-59, at the halfway mark of the period. Morris carried the Cyclones back ahead, finishing a personal eight-point run with back-to-back 3-pointers to put ISU ahead 73-69.

Iowa State took advantage of OSU's desperation for points, running the floor off the Cowboys' misses to rebuild the lead they had previously lost. The lead moved back up to as many as nine points at 82-73, and that was more than enough room for ISU to bring the victory back to Ames. Iowa State closed out the game hitting 10-of-12 from the free throw line in the final 2:13 of the game.

Players of Note
Monté Morris made an immediate impact, forcing turnovers, drawing fouls and getting and creating easy baskets from the first minute of the contest. The Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 selection posted a career-high 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers and 6-of-6 shooting from the line. He also had five assists and no turnovers, moving to 22 assists and one turnover in four Big 12 games.

Matt Thomas was efficient with his opportunities shooting the rock. Thomas got his 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range.

Cyclone Quick Hits
*Monté Morris started in his 101st-consecutive game at Iowa State, the third-longest streak in school history.
*Morris' career-high 30 points was the 78th game of his career with at least 10 points. His previous career-best was 24 on two occasions.
*Through four Big 12 games, Morris has 22 assists and one turnover.
*Nazareth Mitrou-Long became the second player in ISU history to hit 200 career 3-pointers, joining Jake Sullivan (270, 2001-04).
*Mitrou-Long's 17 points marks his 13th time in double figures this season and 45th instance of his career.

Up Next
Iowa State will be back in action on Saturday at TCU. Tip between the Cyclones and Horned Frogs at Schollmeier Arena in Fort Worth will be at 4:30 p.m. with Fox Sports Midwest and Fox Sports Southwest showing the game.

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Team Stats

Monte Morris

Matt Thomas

Nazareth Mitrou-Long

Darrell Bowie

Players Mentioned

Darrell Bowie

Deonte Burton

Nazareth Mitrou-Long

Matt Thomas

Nick Weiler-Babb

Players Mentioned

Darrell Bowie

Deonte Burton

Nazareth Mitrou-Long

Matt Thomas

Nick Weiler-Babb

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