Kansas State Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Match Player Stats On Dec 15, 2020

DaJuan Gordon recorded his first career double-double as Kansas State defeated Iowa State 74-65 in the Big 12 conference opener for both teams Tuesday in Ames, Iowa.

Gordon had 15 points on 11-of-11 free throws and 11 rebounds. A balanced scoring attack by the Wildcats (3-4, 1-0 Big 12) saw Davion Bradford add 14 points, and Rudi Williams and Carlton Linguard each had 10.

Iowa State (1-3, 0-1) was led by Rasir Bolton with 19 points, all but four coming in the second half. Xavier Foster and Tyler Harris added 10 points each. Solomon Young (eight points) was held scoreless in the second half.

Trailing by 14 at halftime, Iowa State battled to get back into the game in the second half. But each time the Cyclones went on a run, the Wildcats responded. The closest Iowa State got was within five points, but that came with 16 seconds left.

Both teams struggled from long range in the second half. The Wildcats missed 10 straight 3-pointers at one point, but they were able to maintain the lead because the Cyclones missed 11 straight. The teams combined to go 4-of-25 from 3-point range after halftime.

Kansas State's big advantage was from the free-throw line, where it went 26-of-29.

Iowa State struggled with turnovers and rebounds in the first half. The Cyclones had more turnovers (13) than field goals made (12) at the break. Kansas State also held a 17-6 advantage on the boards, including a 6-0 lead on the offensive end that led to an 11-0 edge in second-chance points.

Kansas State used a 13-0 run to open up a 26-14 lead midway through the first half. Iowa State chipped away, getting as close as 30-24. But the Wildcats responded and took a 40-26 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats spread the ball around, with all eight players that saw action getting on the scoresheet in the first half. Williams led with nine points off the bench, and Bradford added eight.

Young led the Cyclones with eight points.

--Field Level Media