By: Blake Acri
Ames, IA- Not only was it a great ending to the game, but it was also a great ending to an era. An era
that was led by seniors Matt Thomas, Deonte Burton, Nazareth Mitrou-Long and Monte Morris. These
guys gave CyclONEnation something to smile about every time they stepped on the court and we thank
them for everything they have done, on and off the court.
The game was another nail-biter as the Iowa State Cyclones edged out the Oklahoma State Cowboys 86-
83. All seniors contributed in one way or another and the crowd fed off from their in-game
performance, from Matt Thomas hitting a fade-away three pointer in the corner to Deonte Burton
finishing a crafty one-handed finish to get an and-one, cyclone nation knew all these plays would be
remembered as this game was special for those seniors.
Oklahoma State showed a lot of fight as they were on five game win-streak and have gone 10-1 in their
previous 11 games which included a win on the road at #7 West Virginia. The fight was led by
sophomore sensational Juwan Evans as he had 29 points, six assists and four rebounds. If Evans doesn’t
go to the NBA draft at the end of the season, I feel really bad for the rest of the Big 12 as he will
probably become the new face of elite points guards, which Kansas’s Frank Mason and Iowa State
Monte Morris currently hold.
The Cyclones still have a lot left on the plate, from a road game Friday in Morgantown against #10 West
Virginia, to the Big 12 tournament and the most glorious tournaments of them all, the NCAA
tournament (March Madness).
“We’re not trying to listen to any outside noise, we are just going to continue to get better,” Thomas
said.
Being with KURE for this final game and calling it with my friend Taylor Mankle will always hold a special
place in my heart, as will Hilton Coliseum. From waiting outside in the blistering cold, to beating Kansas
and beating #1 Oklahoma last season. Hilton will always have a special place in my heart and I always
never forget those special memories. I plan to come back to Hilton, but I don’t know when. To be able to
cheer in that student section for four years is what some kids from other colleges dream of. I was lucky
and blessed enough to be able to attend this University and I thank my friends and family for everything.
From KURE 88.5, this is Blake Acri signing off. Thanks again.
