(Ames, IA) — Iowa St. broke open a close game in the 2nd half and won their Big 12 opener over West Virginia 80-59.
The Mountaineers led most of the way in the first half — with a 19-15 edge, Jamarion Batemon hit back to back threes to take a 21-19 lead. West Virginia tied it on a Chance Moore lay up but Blake Buchanan got a dunk and then a tip in lay-up. Nate Heise followed it up with a lay up and Iowa St. built a 28-21 lead. They extended it to 41-28 at the half and cruised the rest of the way.
Milan Momcilovic led Iowa St. (14-0, 1-0) with 26 points and was an impressive 8-10 on his three point shots. Joshua Jefferson had a triple double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists plus 3 steals and 2 blocks. Buchanan added 14 points.
West Virginia (9-5, 0-1) was led by Chance Moore with 17 points.
