March 29, 2024

No. 24 Iowa State throttles Savannah State to open season

AMES (AP) — Iowa State knew it had one of the nation’s best players in Monte Morris. But the Cyclones also knew that the healthy return of fellow senior guard Naz Mitrou-Long would be just as crucial to their hopes in 2016-17.

Morris and Mitrou-Long looked as strong as ever in the opener. Morris had his seventh career double-double with 21 points and 11 assists and 24th-ranked Iowa State routed Savannah State 113-71 on Friday night.

Mitrou-Long had 18 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists in his debut following a medical redshirt season for the Cyclones, who won their opener for the 19th year in a row.

“Monte is a really unselfish player...but Naz is the heartbeat of our team. He needs to do a lot of the intangible things for us as well as score,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said.

As expected, Iowa State was met with little resistance from the Tigers.

The Cyclones jumped ahead 59-38 at the half — with 16 assists on 24 field goals — and cracked 100 points for the third time under Prohm.

Matt Thomas scored 14 points and Merill Holden added 12 in his Iowa State debut.

Joshua Young had 12 points to lead Savannah State.

Iowa State outrebounded the Tigers 62-36.

Morris, who might have left for the NBA had he not injured his shoulder late last season, sealed his double-double with 17 minutes left in the second half. The Big 12 preseason player of the year finished 9-of-11 from the floor and added three steals.

“The pressure is just coming to work every day and just showing the guys the way,” Morris said.

Iowa State hosts Mount St. Mary’s on Monday.