Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Creighton (Exhibition) on October 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
7:30 PM
Men's Basketball
Creighton (Exhibition)
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Iowa State University Athletics
Saturday, January 28
Nashville, Tenn.
3:00 PM
Iowa State University
13-7
78
at
84
Vanderbilt
10-11
1
2
F
Iowa State
33
45
78
Vanderbilt
33
51
84
Photo by: Athletics Communications
Morris Breaks Assists Record, ISU Falls at Vanderbilt
01.28.2017 | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Despite a 25-point effort by ISU's new all-time assists leader Monté Morris, and a furious rally in the final three minutes, Iowa State fell at Vanderbilt 84-78 Saturday at Memorial Gymnasium in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The loss drops the Cyclones to 13-7 overall on the season, while the Commodores improved to 10-11.
ISU got up by as many as 11 points in the first half, but the home team was able to fight back to a tie at half time. The momentum carried into the second half as Vanderbilt got up by as many as 15 points behind a strong shooting afternoon from deep. ISU was down 14 with 3:28 to go, but cut the advantage down to four points in the final seconds, but ran out of time to complete the comeback.
Morris finished with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting. He also recorded three assists to move to 666 in his career, and passing Jeff Hornacek to become ISU's all-time assists leader. Donovan Jackson came off the bench for 16 points, while Matt Thomas had 14 and Deonte Burton 13.
How it Happened
Vanderbilt ran out to an 8-2 advantage in the first three minutes, but the Cyclones got rolling, hitting six-straight shots, including three 3-pointers by Matt Thomas to open up a 17-10 lead on the Commodores. The Cyclone bench stepped up to help bring the ISU advantage to double figures, as Donovan Jackson had five-straight points to make it 26-15 to the visitors.
The Commodores were able to shoot their way back within sight of ISU, as they were able to cut the Cyclone advantage back down to two. Monté Morris made a couple of shots to keep ISU in front, but VU was able to close stronger with Nolan Cressler hitting a 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to knot the score up at the half, 33-33.
It only took 15 seconds for Vanderbilt to move ahead in the second half, and the Commodores would take their lead out to a then-game-high seven points at 42-35. Vanderbilt's shooting started to get involved, as they moved up to 14 points at 58-44 behind the shooting of Matthew Fisher-Davis.
Still down 14 with 3:28 to go, the Cyclones made a final run at the contest. Iowa State got buckets across the spectrum, with Morris, Thomas, Deonte Burton and Jackson all contributing to the ISU comeback. Jackson hit a 3-pointer with four seconds remaining to make it 82-78, but the Cyclones could not get the ball back as Vandy iced the game at the free throw line.
Players of Note
Monté Morris was Iowa State's offensive leader on the day, as he finished with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting. His three assists got him to 666 on his career. He also finished the game with zero turnovers, the 44th time in his career he did not turn the ball over.
Donovan Jackson came off the bench for a strong cameo, tying a career-high with 16 points. The effort featured four 3-pointers.
Matt Thomas was important in the first half for Iowa State, hitting three 3-poineters. The senior finished with 14 points on the game.
Cyclone Quick Hits
*Iowa State is now 2-2 all-time in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
*The all-time series between Iowa State and Vanderbilt is now tied 4-4.
*Donovan Jackson recorded 16 points, his fifth game of the season in double figures.
*Monté Morris had three assists to move up to 666 in his career. He is now Iowa State's all-time leader in career assists, passing Jeff Hornacek's 665.
*Morris' 25 points marked his fourth-straight game in double figures, 17th of the season and 82nd of his career.
*Matt Thomas hit four 3-pointers, moving him to 214 in his career. He moved past teammate Nazareth MItrou-Long for second in school history for career 3-pointers.
*Thomas posted 14 points, his 13th time this season in double figures and 50th in his Cyclone career.
Next Up
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday to host No. 18 West Virginia. The Cyclones and Mountaineers wrap up January with an 8 p.m. tip-off with ESPN2 showing the contest.
Team Stats
ISU
VU
FG%
.492
.481
3FG%
.321
.433
FT%
.750
.808
RB
27
35
TO
6
12
STL
8
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
10
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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