Jaren Holmes scored 23 points in his Iowa State debut, and the Cyclones played suffocating defense in an 88-39 victory over visiting IUPUI in Monday night’s season opener for both teams in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State, returning just four players from a Sweet 16 team that excelled on defense, picked up right where it left off, taking control by forcing 16 first-half turnovers. With five minutes left in the first half, IUPUI had more turnovers (14) than points (12).
Holmes, a senior who was a three-year starter at St. Bonaventure, poured in 15 points in the first half, which ended with the Cyclones leading 45-22. It was more of the same in the second half, with Iowa State ripping off 21 consecutive points in a six-minute span. The Jaguars finished with 29 total turnovers.
IUPUI’s margin of defeat would have been worse if not for Jlynn Counter, a sophomore transfer from Northern Oklahoma College-Enid. He was aggressive from the start, scoring eight of the team’s first 10 points and finishing with 16. He limped off, though, with 10:14 left in the game and did not return.
No other Jaguars player scored more than six points. IUPUI shot 33.3 percent (14 of 42) from the field.
Gabe Kalscheur added 16 points for Iowa State, making 4 of 7 shots from 3-point range. Another St. Bonaventure transfer, center Osun Osunniyi, added 10 points.
Iowa State led 16-12 midway through the first half when its defense sparked a 15-0 run, including Holmes’ three-point play after a steal. IUPUI committed eight turnovers during its scoreless streak that lasted 5:34 before Daylan Hamilton ended the skid with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 31-15 at the 4:32 mark.
The Cyclones took their largest lead of the half when Holmes drove for a leaning jumper with two seconds left for a 45-22 lead.
–Field Level Media