(Ames) No. 5 Iowa State (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) claimed its seventh-straight season-opening victory Monday evening, defeating Mississippi Valley State (0-1, 0-0 SWAC) by a score of 83-44 at Hilton Coliseum.
A four-point ISU lead at the 11:26 mark of the first half ballooned quickly for the home squad, as the Cyclones used a pair of late first-half runs to put the game away before intermission.
The 39-point victory for the Cyclones ranks as the sixth-largest margin of victory under coach T.J. Otzelberger. The top five margins of victory all occurred last season.
ISU had four players in double figures on the night, as Keshon Gilbert led the way with 17 points. Joining Gilbert in double figures were Tamin Lipsey (16), Joshua Jefferson (10), and Milan Momcilovic (10). Jefferson had a team-high four steals to pair with six boards – tied for the team lead. Lipsey led the squad in four assists, while he and Demarion Watson had a game-best two blocks.
The Delta Devils had two players finish in double figures, as Donovan Sanders (12) and Greg Moore (10) led the charge. MVSU’s Alvin Stredic had a game-high nine rebounds. Mississippi Valley State was held to just 37.3 percent shooting from the floor and 8.3 percent from behind the arc.
