AMES (AP) — If Iowa State can get Deonte Burton to play as well as he did Saturday more often, the Cyclones just might have a chance in the Big 12.
Burton scored 27 points — two more than he had total in his previous three games — and Iowa State held off Texas 79-70 for its fourth win in five games.
Monte Morris had 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and zero turnovers for the Cyclones (10-4, 2-1 Big 12), who won despite not hitting a free throw for more than 30 minutes.
“This was probably his best game offensively all year,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said of Burton.
Iowa State pushed its lead to 40-31 by halftime and jumped ahead by 14 early in the second half. Texas (7-8, 1-2) closed to within 68-65 with 3:42 left, but a Matt Thomas 3 after a pair of defensive stops put the game out of reach.
Iowa State went just 5-of-12 from the line and was outrebounded 35-29. But the Cyclones forced 19 turnovers and put up 14 more shots than Texas.
Kerwin Roach Jr. scored 21 for the Longhorns, Tevin Mack had 15 points and Andrew Jones had 14. Texas struggled from the line, going just 8-for-16.
“I thought our guys did a great job staying in the fight,” Texas coach Shaka Smart said. “They played for each other and helped each other. But there’s obviously some basketball components of the game we need to do more.”