(Kansas City, MO) — It was over before it started. Seventh ranked Iowa St. who is the #5 seed in the deep Big 12 tournament advanced quite easily over 13th seeded Arizona St. 91-42 in Kansas City on Wednesday.
The 49 point margin of victory is the biggest in Big 12 tournament history, eclipsing the 43 point win for Texas over Colorado in the 2000 tourney. The loss is also a solemn one for Sun Devils Head Coach Bobby Hurley who is expected to be fired after the season is over.
Iowa St. used an 18-0 run late in the first half to run away from Arizona St. and dominated all the stats — Iowa St. led in 2nd chance points 17-2; they led in points off turnovers 25-4; and led in points in the paint 44-26. The Sun Devils were just 1-19 on their three point shots.
Milan Momcilovic led Iowa St. (26-6) with 21 points including 4 of 8 from three point land; Joshua Jefferson had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists; Blake Buchanan had 17 points which is the most for him in a Cyclone uniform; and Tamin Lipsey added 11 points and 4 assists.
Lipsey says Iowa St. dominated on the defensive end
Lipsey was 3 of 5 from three point land in the game and is shooting over 50 percent in the T-Mobile Center otherwise known as Hilton South. He says it was good to take out Arizona St. early
Freshman Killyan Toure has been struggling with his shooting but he was huge for the Cyclones defensively
Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger says it was good to see Buchanan have a huge game and is such a huge presence in the paint
Texas Tech is the next test for Otzelberger’s team
Santiago Trouet was the only player in double figures for Arizona St. (17-16) with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Iowa St. will now face #4 seed and 16th ranked Texas Tech in the Big 12 quarterfinals on Thursday. The Cyclones lost to the Red Raiders 82-73 at Hilton Coliseum back on Saturday, February 28. Game time is 11:30, Cyclones Pre Game at 10:30 am on KSOM.
