AMES, Iowa — Iowa State (2-0) brought intensity to the defensive end and balance on offense to beat Oregon State (1-1) 60-50 at Hilton Coliseum on Friday night, giving new coach T.J. Otzelberger his second victory in as many games.
The Cyclones stifled an Oregon State team that is rebuilding with transfers after a run to the Elite Eight last season. The Beavers managed just 14 points in the first 17 1/2 minutes and rarely strung together back-to-back baskets against the hustling ISU defenders.
Oregon State shot just 34 percent for the game and went 3-for-22 from 3-point range.
The defense enabled the Cyclones to overcome 19 turnovers and 7-for-26 shooting from long range. And they did it for a long stretch without fouling. Oregon State did not shoot a free throw until the 15:34 mark in the second half.
Gabe Kalscheur led Iowa State with 15 points, including a couple of 3-pointers. Izaiah Brockington, who played at St. Bonaventure and Penn State before joining the Cyclones this season, posted the first double-double of his career with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The 12 rebounds were a career high.
Caleb Grill and freshman Tyrese Hunter scored nine points each and Tre Jackson added five points and five rebounds.
Hunter handed out seven assists and showed flashes of why he was so highly regarded coming in. During one 91-second stretch early in the second half, Hunter hit a jump shot, zipped a one-handed pass to Tristan Enaruna for a fast-break dunk and found Kalscheur for a step-back 3 on the right wing.
He also blew past his defender for a dunk and took a crossover dribble to the basket for a layup late in the game when the Cyclones were trying to protect the lead.
Jackson gave the Cyclones 11 solid minutes off the bench and was the key figure in the run that essentially put the game out of reach. He started the 14-6 burst with a 3 from the top of the key and finished it by going end to end for a layup, putting the Cyclones up 49-33 with less than 10 minutes to play. Oregon State got within single digits only twice the rest of the way.
Maurice Calloo and Warith Alatishe led Oregon State with eight points each. Alatishe shot just 4-for-11 after scoring 21 points in OSU’s season-opening victory over Portland State.
Next Up:
Alabama State visits Hilton Coliseum for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday, November 16.
