Cyclones Stifle Northern Iowa

AMES, Iowa - Marcus Fizer scored 23 points and sparked a 19-4 start that sent Iowa State on the way to a 73-41 victory over Northern Iowa on Sunday night.

Though sluggish at times on offense, Iowa State (8-2) kept Northern Iowa (8-2) at bay with outstanding defense and made it difficult for the Panthers to get shots.

Northern Iowa, which got the lead below double figures only once after Iowa State's early run, shot only 33 percent and committed 24 turnovers while coming up with just five assists.

It was the fewest points allowed by Iowa State since a 57-36 victory over Tennessee-Martin on Dec. 5, 1996. The 41 points were the fewest Northern Iowa has scored in a game since a 62-39 loss to Illinois State late in the 1981-82 season.

Paul Shirley added 10 points for Iowa State, Michael Nurse scored nine and Martin Rancik eight. Kelvin Hill led Northern Iowa with 11 points and Cory Jenkins scored 10.

Robbie Sieverding, Northern Iowa's leading scorer with an 18.5 average, scored just seven points on 3-for-11 shooting.

Northern Iowa was hurt when point guard Andy Woodley left the game with an ankle injury after crashing to the floor while fouling Fizer with 14:21 left. He was carried to the locker room and did not return.

Fizer, 6 feet 8 and 265 pounds, was unstoppable when he got the ball near the basket and made 9-of-11 shots. He was 5-for-6, all turnarounds or shots near the basket, as Iowa State jumped to its early 15-point lead.

Northern Iowa drew to 19-11 on Hill's jump shot midway through the first half, but Iowa State answered with a 14-2 run to go up 33-13 and the Panthers never got back in it.

Iowa State did a good job getting the ball inside and eight of the Cyclones' 13 first-half baskets came after they passed the ball into the post.

The Cyclones continued to take it inside in the second half and got easy shots or drew fouls. Leading 54-35, Iowa State went on a 17-0 run that reserve Thomas Watkins capped with two 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 71-35.

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Players Mentioned

Marcus Fizer

Marcus Fizer

Michael Nurse

Michael Nurse

Martin Rancik

Martin Rancik

Paul Shirley

Paul Shirley

Thomas Watkins

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