AMES, Iowa (AP) It was hardly a coincidence that Iowa State senior point guard Monte Morris had one his most complete games Sunday.
Morris notched the fifth triple-double in school history and No. 20 Iowa State throttled The Citadel 130-63, setting a program record for points in a game.
Morris had 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and zero turnovers for Iowa State (3-0), which shot 60.5 percent from the floor. The Cyclones held the Bulldogs (2-2) - who entered play averaging a national-best 112.2 points a game - to just 22 in the first half.
Iowa State raced ahead 18-3 and pushed its lead to 32 after just 14 minutes. Iowa State cracked 100 with 11 minutes left, and coach Steve Prohm was able to pull Morris from the game with 7:46 left to a standing ovation.
“I think it started on the defensive end, and my guys made shots. I just got the ball to them,” said Morris, who grabbed all 10 of his rebounds on defense.
Naz Mitrou-Long tied a career-high with 26 points and Matt Thomas had 18 for the Cyclones, who are beating their opponents by an average of 42 points.
“No disrespect to the past three teams we’ve played, but we definitely felt very confident in winning those three,” Mitrou-Long said.
Quayson Williams had 15 for the Bulldogs, who were outscored in the paint 78-12.
BIG PICTURE
Iowa State: The Cyclones looked a bit discombobulated at times offensively in a 73-55 win over Mount St. Mary’s on Monday. But The Citadel’s looser approach to defense allowed Iowa State to regain its rhythm in record-setting fashion. Seven different Cyclones had an assist in the first half, and Thomas drilled his first four 3s in a game that was never in doubt for a Top 25 team. “I thought this was our most complete game on both ends of the floor,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said.
The Citadel: The Bulldogs ran into a team that plays like they do - as fast as possible - but has more talent. The Citadel was picked to finish last in the Southern Conference for a reason.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Iowa State might get a boost simply by taking care of the teams it was supposed to take care of. The real tests will start to come next week, with possible opponents such as Miami, Stanford and Gonzaga.
THE NUMBERS
Iowa State out-rebounded the Bulldogs 63-33 and had 31 assists on 52 baskets. ...Eight different Cyclones scored in double digits. Darrell Bowie and Merrill Holden each had 13 points, Solomon Young had 12 and Donovan Jackson and Nick Weiler-Babb scored 10 points. Bowie added 10 rebounds. ...Thomas has made a 3-pointer in 28 straight games. ...The Citadel didn’t score a single fast-break point despite their style of play.
HE SAID IT
“I’m not concerned about all that stuff, who starts at quarterback, who starts at (center) - if you win. Are you playing starter minutes and quality minutes? That’s what I’m concerned about.” - Prohm said when asked whether Bowie or Holden - both senior graduate transfers - had begun to emerge as his starting center.
UP NEXT
Iowa State plays Indiana State on Thursday in the opening round of the Advocare Invitational in Orlando, Florida.
The Citadel plays at Arizona State on Wednesday.
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