AMES, Iowa – Iowa State capped off a perfect exhibition season by downing UNC-Pembroke, 106-54 Friday night in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones shot 56.5 percent from the field and forced 27 turnovers, improving their all-time exhibition record to 42-4.
Craig Brackins tallied 17 points and Diante Garrett had 16 points to pace the Cyclones in the victory. Brackins was 7-of-11 from the field, including a 3-of-4 effort from 3-point range, while Garrett was 5-of-6 from the floor with three assists.
“Our goal in the exhibition games was to try to get some people on the floor and get a feel for what they are capable of doing in certain situations," ISU head coach Greg McDermott said. "We’ve certainly been able to accomplish that in these two exhibition games. I really feel like with this team we can continue to play nine, 10, or 11 guys and hopefully we’re wearing on our opponents as the game goes on.”
Iowa State wasted little time in blowing the game open, going on an 18-1 run to charge ahead 20-3 with 13:00 left in the opening period. The Cyclones made 10-of-their-first-12 shots from the floor and held UNCP to 2-of-11 shooting to help provide the large deficit.
Another run, a 16-2 scoring burst, pushed the Cyclone lead to 36-5 with 7:45 left in the first half. ISU dialed up the pressure, forcing 10 turnovers in the early moments, leading to easy baskets.
A turnaround basket in the paint by Brackins made it 40-9 ISU with 4:42 left before intermission. Brackins had nine points, and Garrett tallied 10 points, as the Cyclones went into the break with a 53-20 lead. ISU reached the 50-point mark at the break in both of its exhibitions.
Brackins made back-to-back treys to give ISU a 42-point lead at 69-27 with 14:01 left in the game. Moments later ISU had a 48-point lead (77-29) behind buckets from Marquis Gilstrap, Jamie Vanderbeken and Charles Boozer in an 8-2 run.
ISU won the battle of the boards at 47-43, behind a team-high nine caroms from LaRon Dendy off the bench. ISU also had 14 steals.
The Cyclones will begin their regular season next Friday (Nov. 13) vs. Idaho State at 7 p.m.
