By Connor Ferguson
The Iowa State Cyclones Men’s Basketball team improved to 2-0 on the young season after beating Mount Saint Mary’s 73-55 on Monday Night at Hilton Coliseum.
It was a game played with heavy hearts as the Cyclones honored Bryce DeJean-Jones by wearing warmup shirts and a jersey patch dedicated to the former Cyclone.
“It was big time,” Monte Morris said. “We played a full season with Bryce, he was a great person on and off the court. He was a [really] good teammate. Just seeing how he carried himself and prepared for games big time was enough to see why he started his NBA career [out well].”
The game was extra special for the family of Naz Mitrou-Long. Naz’s brother Elijah started for Mount Saint Mary’s, and the Mitrou-Long family brought 36 people to the game to watch the two face off.
“It was kind of surreal, honestly,” Mitrou-Long said. “It sucks, because part of me wanted to cheer for him, I can’t even lie because he was making some plays tonight. But, part of me was like, ‘let’s keep it competitive.’ It was a little weird, but man was it a good time.”
Naz Mitrou-Long snuck behind his brother late in the game and earned a charge.
“I had to do a little something to go out,” Mitrou-Long said.
Monte Morris lead the team, shooting 7-12 good for 18 points. Deonte Burton finished the game with a double-double, earning 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cyclones will return to the court on Sunday when they take on the Citadel – marked the nation’s fastest team by KenPom.
