Tre King and Keshon Gilbert scored 16 points apiece to lead four players in double figures and lift host Iowa State to an 86-55 win against Idaho State on Sunday in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State (3-0) led by as many as 32 points against the Bengals (1-2). The Cyclones enjoyed a 46-12 edge in points in the paint as they went just 4-for-13 from beyond the arc.
Maleek Arington scored 11 of his 15 points after halftime to lead Idaho State. Miguel Tomley followed with 11 points.
Iowa State forced Idaho State into 24 turnovers. Tamin Lipsey had four steals and five assists for the Cyclones. Curtis Jones scored 14 points, while Milan Momcilovic had 11.
Idaho State played about even with Iowa State during the early stages of the second half, as the Cyclones started 4-for-12 from the floor coming out of halftime. After trailing by 19 at the break, the Bengals pulled to within 16 after Mitchell split a pair of free throws with 12:28 to play.
The Cyclones began to break away behind a five-point possession moments later. Momcilovic made two of three free throws before Demarion Watson snagged an offensive board on the final attempt and found Jones for an open 3.
Momcilovic has scored in double figures in each game this season.
Idaho State grabbed the first lead of the afternoon on Tomley’s trey off an offensive rebound. The Bengals never led after that, surrendering the next 17 points.
The Cyclones took a 44-25 lead into intermission behind a strong defense and interior attack. Iowa State forced 15 Idaho State turnovers in the first half while scoring 19 points off them. King had 14 points at the break on 5-for-7 shooting and a 4-for-5 effort from the free-throw line. He later appeared to twist his ankle and played just seven second-half minutes.
Tomley swished all three of his attempts from beyond the arc for the Bengals en route to a team-high nine points in the first half.
Isaiah Griffin and Brayden Parker finished with six rebounds apiece for the Bengals. Gilbert grabbed six boards for Iowa State.
–Field Level Media