Cyclones Beat Sioux Falls In Exhibition Matchup
By: Michael Mainzer
Ames IA, – The Men’s basketball team got off to a hot start in their annual exhibition matchup against the Sioux Falls Cougars of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Cyclone Naz Mitrou-Long led the way with 24 Points in what was a 101-57 victory for Iowa State. The fast paced run and gun team was not shy in launching three pointers, hitting 15 of them at a 57.7 percent clip.
While it was against a Division II basketball opponent, the defense looked sharp in their first game as a unit, specifically Louisiana-Tech transfer Merrill Holden. The Cyclones new center had 2 blocks and looked confident holding down the paint, but Iowa State fans will have to wait and see if he can keep it going throughout the season against tougher teams. Prohm unleashed a 1-2-2 halfcourt press, granted one might not expect that to be used once conference play runs around.
The Iceman Matt Thomas looked in midseason form with 13 points, and Deonte Burton added 16 of his own on top of a fast break dunk that gave us a glimpse of what “Hilton Magic” will be like this season. When asked if he was concerned about the amount of scoring done by the backcourt, Head Coach Steve Prohm said, “Those guys have earned the right to make shots, they put a lot of time in the gym.”
And make shots they did. Prohm showed his usual sets of pin downs and screens for shooters, acknowledging that no matter who the opposition is, players can gain chemistry playing with each other. “You got to let them play and let their ability to take over,” Prohm said.
Iowa State prepares to begin their season against Savannah State November 11th, and they start conference play December 30th when they’ll host Texas Tech.
