Iowa State basketball: TJ Otzelberger on rebounding over Cincinnati
Iowa State had a big effort on the glass in the Cyclones’ win over Cincinnati.
The Iowa State men’s basketball team needed someone to step up with Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey on the bench. And wow, Curtis Jones stepped up and then some.
Jones made 8 of his first 11 shots and had 22 points at the 3:47 mark of the first half against BYU on Thursday at the Big 12 Tournament. The Big 12’s Sixth Man of the Year hit 6 of his first 8 from 3-point range.
“This is historic!” ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla exclaimed.
“Curtis Jones has been amazing for Iowa State,” play-by-play announcer Jon Schiambi added.
Jones’ heroics gave the Cyclones a 46-37 lead at the under-4 media timeout. The pro-Iowa State crowd at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City loved it.
Gilbert is out with a lower-body injury. Lipsey was expected to play but was still on the bench at the under-4 media timeout.
Iowa State led 53-49 at halftime.
Curtis Jones first-half stats vs. BYU in Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals
- 22 points
- 8 of 12 from the field
- 6 of 9 from 3-point range
Curtis Jones stats in 2024-25 season (entering Thursday)
- 16.7 points per game
- 4.4 rebounds per game
- 2.3 assists per game
- 41.8% from the field
- 36.5% from 3-point range