Iowa State was running out of chances. The Cyclones have a good team, but thus far had struck out in their best chances for a quality non-conference win. They had lost in a game that wasn’t quite as good a chance, a trip to Oregon State in their second game of the year, although that could still end up as a missed opportunity. They still have Iowa coming to town in a few days, and they go to Auburn in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, but the opportunities were diminishing.
So when Seton Hall came to town on Sunday night, it was a game they needed. And when a strong second half, especially in the closing minutes, led to a 76-66 win for them, it was just what they needed, in what turned out to be a rematch from the Battle 4 Atlantis.
The Cyclones went to the Bahamas and went 1-2, losing to Michigan to start, beating Alabama and then losing to the Pirates. To date, their best win had been against the Crimson Tide, a good team but hardly a lock for the NCAA Tournament right now. So getting another shot at the Pirates certainly helps, and this is a Seton Hall team that is quite battle-tested and will continue to be.
Iowa State led by just two at the half, but came out with good energy and got a couple of quick baskets to get the crowd into it and lead Seton Hall to call a timeout. The Pirates came right back, and around the halfway point would take the lead a couple of times as Myles Powell came alive. Then guys like Rasir Bolton, George Conditt IV and Tyrese Haliburton took over the game for Iowa State. Bolton and Conditt IV each had 17 points, with the former getting to the basket and the foul line often, while the latter filled right in as Haliburton was relentless at both ends, filling the stat sheet with 17 points of his own plus six rebounds and five assists.
This wasn’t an offensive masterpiece for either team, as neither shot better than 38.3 percent from the field. Seton Hall had 20 turnovers, but Iowa State gave it away 16 times. It was simply a matter of who would make enough plays. The Cyclones were that team, and walked off the floor with a much-needed victory to go into their last game before final exams against the Hawkeyes on Thursday night.
Side Dishes
For Seton Hall, they lost more than just a game, as Sandro Mamukelashvili broke his right wrist in the loss. The 6’11” junior went down almost five minutes into the game and never returned, and will need further evaluation via an MRI on Monday. One of their more versatile players, Mamukelashvili is no small loss, but his absence will give a few other players a chance in that role going into early Big East play.
In ACC action, Florida State took over in the second half to take care of Clemson 72-53 after trailing by six at halftime, while Virginia controlled the pace and put forth another big defensive effort in knocking off North Carolina 56-47, holding Cole Anthony to 12 points on 4-15 shooting and six turnovers with no assists. The Tar Heels were just 1-14 from long range on the night. For the first time in over 70 years, North Carolina scored less than 50 points in consecutive games after scoring 48 against Ohio State on Wednesday night. The good thing for the Tar Heels: Armando Bacot played after it looked like he would be out for a while with an ankle injury he sustained on Wednesday night.
In Big Ten play, Purdue pulled away from Northwestern 58-44 and Michigan State got 23 points and seven assists from Cassius Winston to do the same with Rutgers 77-65 after the Scarlet Knights at one point got within two in the second half.
The Air Force Reserve Jerry Colangelo Classic was a big tripleheader in Phoenix, with the big game coming in the middle. In the opener, Saint Louis routed Tulane 86-62 behind 22 points from Gibson Jimerson and 18 and 11 rebounds from Hasahn French. The big game was the middle game, although Dayton tried to make it a blowout as they ran out to a 46-25 halftime lead before having to hold off Saint Mary’s 78-68, getting 21 points from Jalen Crutcher as he continues to emerge as the big complement to Obi Toppin. In the final game, Liberty moved to 11-0 by knocking off Grand Canyon 70-61.
Two big road wins of the day were Wichita State going to Stillwater and convincingly knocking off Oklahoma State 80-61, while Gonzaga went to Seattle and beat Washington 83-76.
Other results of note: Quentin Grimes had 24 points to lead Houston to a comfortable 76-56 win at South Carolina; E.J. Anosike may have had the best individual stat line of the day with 22 points and 18 rebounds to lead Sacred Heart past Hartford 79-62 in West Hartford; Richmond took care of South Alabama 75-57; Luke Knapke did his best to match Anosike, going for 33 and 11 to lead Toledo to an 82-72 win over Marshall and a 7-2 record; San Diego State barely got past San Jose State 59-57 on a three-pointer by Malachi Flynn with less than a second to play; Texas took care of arch rival Texas A&M 60-50 in the first meeting between the two schools in four years; and Buffalo handed DePaul their first loss of a the season with a 74-69 win despite 15 points and 18 rebounds from Paul Reed.
NC State forward Jericole Hellems fell and banged his head on the floor in the waning moments of Saturday night’s win at Wake Forest, but was released from the hospital on Sunday and was in “good spirits” according to the school. He will be re-evaluated in the next few days, with his status being unknown at the moment.
Tonight’s Menu
Only four Division I games are on tap, as a number of schools have final exams this week.
- Duquesne puts their undefeated mark on the line as they host Columbia (7 p.m.)
- The only game involving a non-Division I school is Alcorn State hosting Rust (7 p.m.)
- South Dakota hopes to continue their good start as they host Alabama State (8 p.m.)
- A Big Ten game is also on tap as Minnesota travels to Iowa (8 p.m.)
