KANSAS CITY — Curtis Jones of Iowa State was on fire, scoring 22 points in just over five minutes during the first half against BYU. This talented guard continued his impressive performance as the second half began, hitting a stepback jumper and a three-pointer to extend the Cyclones’ lead to 60-52.
But the game turned as Trey Stewart, one of BYU’s top defenders, stepped up to guard Jones. Their back-and-forth became a key part of the game. Jones managed to score again only late in the second half as Stewart and his teammates made it tough for him.
With just under five minutes left, Jones scored to narrow BYU’s lead to 84-82. He later hit free throws to bring the score to 89-88. However, despite Jones’s 31 points, BYU secured the win with a final score of 96-92. In the first half, Jones had impressive shooting stats, making 8 of 12 attempts, including 6 of 9 from three-point range. But he struggled in the second half, going just 3 of 10.
Stewart acknowledged the challenge Jones presented. “Jones was cooking,” he admitted. “It was fun to play against him. We focused on our defense in the second half, and it worked.” Stewart also contributed to the scoreboard with six points of his own, showing his versatility on both ends of the court.
Iowa State played without key starters Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert. These absences meant Jones had to take on a bigger role early in the game. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, BYU’s depth became a major factor. BYU’s bench scored 41 points while Iowa State’s bench contributed only nine.
BYU head coach Kevin Young praised Jones’s performance, calling it remarkable but also highlighted the importance of team defense. He noted that the team’s ability to withstand Iowa State’s initial surge made the difference by the end of the game. With both teams combining for 31 three-pointers, they tied the record for the most in a single Big 12 game.
Free throw shooting was another area of success for BYU. Richie Saunders, a crucial player, continued his streak by making key free throws down the stretch. He was perfect from the line in both recent games, showcasing his reliability under pressure.
In summary, it was a battle of individual brilliance from Jones against the teamwork and defensive tenacity of BYU. The match underscored the unpredictable nature of basketball, where one player can dominate one half, but team dynamics often decide the outcome.
As BYU prepares for their next game against No. 2 Houston, they’ll look to build on this momentum and continue their strong performance.
For more on team statistics and player insights, you can check out NCAA’s official website here.
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