(Kansas City, MO) — Iowa St. led wire to wire and advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament with a 76-56 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday afternoon. Early in the 2nd half, ISU’s lead whittled down to three 43-40 after a Dillon Mitchell steal and dunk. The Cyclones responded by making the next three baskets to push the lead back up to 9. UC got back down to as close as 6 54-48 but Iowa St. went on a 11-2 run to make it 63-50 with 6:07 remaining and cruised from there. ISU dominated inside — outrebounding Cincinnati 41-23 and Head Coach TJ Otzelberger says that’s the reason they won the game
Keshon Gilbert, however, did not play the entire 2nd half and Otzelberger is not sure if he will play in the Quarterfinals tomorrow (Thursday) against BYU
Joshua Jefferson led Iowa St. with 19 points and Tamin Lipsey had 16 points while tweaking a groin muscle but Otzelberger doesn’t expect him to miss the game against the Cougars
Iowa St. goes to 24-8 on the season and will play BYU on Thursday morning with an 11:30 am tipoff, Cyclones Pre Game at 10:30 am, coverage on KSOM.
