March 28, 2024

McClellan propels Texas over Iowa State, 89-86 2OT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sheldon McClellan scored all 10 of Texas' points in the second overtime and the Longhorns welcomed back point guard Myck Kabongo from a 23-game suspension with an 89-86 win over Iowa State on Wednesday night.

McClellan also had a key steal which led to his two free throws in the final seconds for Texas (11-13, 3-8 Big 12). Iowa State had a chance to tie but Chris Babb's 3-pointer with 5 seconds left missed and Texas' Connor Lammert took the ball from Babb in a scramble for the long rebound.

McClellan scored 18 points. Kabongo had 13 points, five assists and seven rebounds in his first game of the season, but fouled out in the first overtime.

Melvin Ejim had 20 points and 16 rebounds for Iowa State (16-8, 6-5).

Iowa State, which beat Texas by 20 in the first meeting of the season, shot 11 of 33 from beyond the arc and 35 percent overall for the game.

Will Clyburn scored 20 and Tyrus McGee scored 21 for the Cylones, which dropped to 1-10 all-time in Austin.

Texas, which had lost three previous overtime games this season, the worst in 15 years under coach Rick Barnes, looked like a different team when Kabongo was on the floor as he led the Longhorns through their offense and opened up the floor with his passing.

Ironically, Kabongo was hardly on the floor in overtime after fouling out, leaving his teammates to once again find a way to win without him. This time they did.

Texas got to overtime when Ioannis Papapetrou made a 25-foot 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left. After Texas had called a timeout, Papapetrou threw an inbounds pass to Jonathan Holmes, who immediately gave it back to him and screened a defender lunging to block the shot.

Julien Lewis, who didn't score in regulation, made two 3-pointers in the first overtime. Texas had a chance to win it there, but Javan Felix, who was Texas' starting point guard until Kabongo returned, missed a tough leaning jumper in the final seconds and Iowa State grabbed the rebound.

McClellan took over the second overtime for Texas. Iowa State twice held the lead, the last time at 86-85, before McClellan made two free throws with 45 seconds left.